1. Find the True Heart. 2. Learn three Martian words. 3. Observe a memory. 4. Influence the Heart with a Heliogram. 5. Open a hidden or locked door. 6. Find the murderer of Lochaana Naarabot.
Each objective will earn you at least one point, if you are collecting such things!
Visiting the Countess of Danforth's Salon does come with one main rule, though: no violence is to be used unsanctioned! We expect better propriety than common lowlives and pirates in the presence of the Countess; anyone caught doing so will be accountable to the Countess's security. We also cannot dock for the duration of the Salon, so any business you must conduct off of the aether-flyer should be saved for later. If you must do something urgent, we suggest sending a Heliogram to your employees or allies.
There are two types of influence you will encounter. The first type, material influence, has power over professional fields, finance, industry, and so on; you may be requested to use it on behalf of other attendees of the Salon for a reward, or asked to trade it to them for their own projects. The other type, heart influence, can be acquired from speaking to other attendees of the salon or performing special actions, and can be used to influence the interests of the Guest of Honor herself if used correctly!
Heliograms will definitely have some lasting effect if at least 3 appropriate influence are attached, and will have a major effect if at least 5 appropriate influence are attached. Some objects or doors in the Salon may also require a certain amount of influence to use or unlock.
Your Name: Creme Yvette Influence Attached: Politics Action to be Taken: Use your ability to help those in need* (*Need subject to interpretation) Additional Message: Thank you for your service.
Your Name: Yvette Influence Attached: "the relentless march of empire" Action to be Taken: Take a break Additional Message: The Empire will be waiting for you when you get back. And you'll be ready for them. :)
Your Name: Hizumi Influence Attached: Science x 3, Honor the cause of your kiima x1 Action to be Taken: Use proper sciences and study to help those important to you/ Additional Message: Teach me more!
Your Name: Yvette Influence Attached: the canals must flow Action to be Taken: n/a Additional Message: The road to hell is paved with good intentions, I suppose, but maybe less like this.
Your Name: Yvette Influence Attached: honor the cause of your kiima Action to be Taken: n/a Additional Message: I admire your dedication. Thank you for continuing to work with me and this fun opportunity to play with you. ♥
You find yourself entering a lavishly-appointed ballroom aboard the Duchess of Argyll aether-flyer. From a trio of musicians in the corner, classical music fills the room as well-dressed guests mill about, chatting, tasting hors d'ouvres brought around by liveried servers, and shaking hands on agreements.
An exquisitely-dressed older woman greets you as you enter, though in addition to her Victorian-era fashion, she is, curiously, wearing an orange scarf loosely wrapped around her head.
No one is quite dancing yet—now is the time for socializing, and making the sorts of connections that the upper crust of society trade in.
Some among the assembled watch you with interest: a pair of nonhumans dressed in black, one in ceremonial armor; then also, a sweet-faced woman with beautiful red hair and a sad smile.
"Welcome!" she says. "I'm the Countess of Danforth, and I'm so pleased you could make it to my Salon. Please, do make yourselves comfortable; my chefs have prepared plenty of delicious food, and of course there are drinks and dancing to be had. I hope you'll have plenty of exciting discussions."
She tilts her head at the lot of you. "Though, I get the feeling you're here for our guest of honor—First-Keeper Naarabot is quite in demand these days, due to the recent controversy, so if you'd like to reach her, you'll need to use Influence to send a Heliogram from the station over there." She points, and indicates an odd box with a typewriter attached to it over in the corner.
"You'll need other influence than what you have to truly change anything, though... but others at the Salon will find those useful, so you might be able to get it from them! They're all really charming conversationalists—I picked them all out myself—so really, they're lovely to talk to no matter what!"
And on that note, she shoos you out into the ballroom, encouragingly.
Along the center line of the lower deck is a well-stocked full bar. It has wine, all manner of liqueurs—both familiar and more exotic. Behind the bar, between the shelves of bottles and glasses, hangs an elaborate, filigreed full-face mask with two cutouts for eyes. Perhaps an acquisition from the owner's expeditions?
A bartender in vest and shirtsleeves offers to pour the lot of you a drink. There is a specials menu for the occasion that he slides across to you; it seems to have the drink of every current member of BARiTONES, although Kohime's seems to be something exotic called mavnoor.
A warm, comfortable room in dark colors and rich leather; the smell of smoke fills the air from numerous cigar-smoking sessions, and there's a few bottles of expensive whiskey on the sideboard. A man swirls a glass of whiskey while working on some sort of manuscript, looking thoughtful.
In this room are a semicircular arrangement of chairs surrounding a wooden podium for presentations. No one is currently presenting, but there is a list of previous presentations: some about alien botany, mechanical engineering, the arts. The presentation schedule on the wall says that a presentation slot is starting soon, but it appears no one's signed up.
In one corner, there's... a door, maybe? Covered in what appears to be thick ice. It's cold to the touch.
This room is dusty, disused; there are a handful of paint-stained workbenches, and tripods draped with cloth. Under some of the dropcloths are various fragile glass orbs, painted in beautiful swirls of color. One has been smashed directly in the center of the floor.
In the back, hidden, are a handful of amateurishly done ones that have been left in a bin. Several are chipped.
The upper deck contains a small, oval room with windows in every direction, and a boardroom-style table in the center.
A group of three men and one woman sit around the table, immersed in conversation; all are dressed finely, and one of the gentlemen has a glass of scotch.
A banquet table is laid out with all sorts of delights: tiny sandwiches, finger foods, dips, fine wine and lemonade. It's a feast fit for those who brush shoulders with kings, at least, and the fine guests hover around the table, chatting between their hors d'ourves. There is one non-human guest here in conversation with one of the groups as well, though they look strangely ill-at-ease.
This is... not really anything like a "ladies' retiring room." There's no couches to recline on, and, in fact, there's water an inch deep across the stone floor. In fact, it might be outside?
There's a raised podium in the center, near which an adult in vibrantly-colored Martian dress stands, looking through lecture notes. A number of younger people sit on the stone steps, chatting amongst themselves, waiting for the class to begin.
One seat is conspicuously empty. A ways away, out by the edge of the canal, stand one large man in loud, obnoxious colors and a head-wrapping, and one practically-dressed woman, both of whom also seem to be Martian.
Cooks and servants bustle around, toting large crocks of dip, trays of finger foods, and carafes of drinks to and fro to feed the gentlefolk in attendance. There doesn't seem to be a chef, and there's a lot of disorganization and mayhem about.
Here, you have a marvelous view from orbit; you can see the whole of the Earth and the sun from here, and Venus in the distance. There's a sort of flare happening from one side of the sun.
You have a fellow spectator, if you choose to stay: a slightly rough-edged man who seems a little down, smoking a cigar like a chimney.
[ when you step into the room, you're—somewhere else, as if you're watching a play unfold in real time in a dimly lit room. none of the participants seem to notice you, and you cannot touch them.
They’re all packed into a small, dimly-lit room—a handful of humans, a young woman in an iridescent blue cloak, with bronze, gold-flecked skin and stark white hair, and the tall woman with chin-length silver hair, in a white dress and coat. The only light from the room comes from a couple gas lanterns and the glow of some of the barely-functional components of the console to one side of the room.
“You’re sure about this?” asks one of the men, in traveling clothes, a little dirty from their trip so far.
The white-haired woman nods, vigorously. Her speech is heavily-accented English. “The problem is the blockage. If we’re able to clear the ice, we’ll be able to restore water to all the canals downstream much more easily—even without fully repairing this station.”
“I can’t believe it was just a blockage from this site going unmaintained,” the silver-haired woman mutters. “Well, in that case, we have to. There shouldn’t be anything downstream that would cause a problem.”
One of their traveling companions, a woman in a worker’s cap with curly brown hair, looks thoughtful. “Long as you’re sure. No one should have moved into the canal, right?”
The silver-haired woman nods. “Daar-aruuvi wouldn’t move into the canals. It’s not what they’re for. It would be improper, after all, and this is of utmost importance, besides.”
And then it fades, and you're standing beside a canal, somewhere else—you can, curiously, still see the open door a few strides away from you. It's market day, and the stalls are set up in the long-dry canal, colorful banners hanging everywhere, and both martians and humans mingling. You can hear some dialogue spoken in Russian, if you listen closely.
And then you hear the rumbling, and see the rush of the water, from upstream. You have a minute, at best. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
OBJECTIVES & RULES
1. Find the True Heart.
2. Learn three Martian words.
3. Observe a memory.
4. Influence the Heart with a Heliogram.
5. Open a hidden or locked door.
6. Find the murderer of Lochaana Naarabot.
Each objective will earn you at least one point, if you are collecting such things!
Visiting the Countess of Danforth's Salon does come with one main rule, though: no violence is to be used unsanctioned! We expect better propriety than common lowlives and pirates in the presence of the Countess; anyone caught doing so will be accountable to the Countess's security. We also cannot dock for the duration of the Salon, so any business you must conduct off of the aether-flyer should be saved for later. If you must do something urgent, we suggest sending a Heliogram to your employees or allies.
There are two types of influence you will encounter. The first type, material influence, has power over professional fields, finance, industry, and so on; you may be requested to use it on behalf of other attendees of the Salon for a reward, or asked to trade it to them for their own projects. The other type, heart influence, can be acquired from speaking to other attendees of the salon or performing special actions, and can be used to influence the interests of the Guest of Honor herself if used correctly!
Heliograms will definitely have some lasting effect if at least 3 appropriate influence are attached, and will have a major effect if at least 5 appropriate influence are attached. Some objects or doors in the Salon may also require a certain amount of influence to use or unlock.
HELIOGRAM STATION
You may send an unlimited number of Heliograms at any time.
Re: HELIOGRAM STATION
Influence Attached: Knowledge is Power x2
Action to be Taken: N/A
Additional Message: Look at me, you taught me how to grift!
Re: HELIOGRAM STATION
Influence Attached: Politics
Action to be Taken: Use your ability to help those in need* (*Need subject to interpretation)
Additional Message: Thank you for your service.
Re: HELIOGRAM STATION
Influence Attached: "the relentless march of empire"
Action to be Taken: Take a break
Additional Message: The Empire will be waiting for you when you get back. And you'll be ready for them. :)
Re: HELIOGRAM STATION
Influence Attached: Science x 3, Honor the cause of your kiima x1
Action to be Taken: Use proper sciences and study to help those important to you/
Additional Message: Teach me more!
Re: HELIOGRAM STATION
Influence Attached: the canals must flow
Action to be Taken: n/a
Additional Message: The road to hell is paved with good intentions, I suppose, but maybe less like this.
Re: HELIOGRAM STATION
Influence Attached: honor the cause of your kiima
Action to be Taken: n/a
Additional Message: I admire your dedication. Thank you for continuing to work with me and this fun opportunity to play with you. ♥
WHODUNNIT
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THE GRAND BALLROOM
You find yourself entering a lavishly-appointed ballroom aboard the Duchess of Argyll aether-flyer. From a trio of musicians in the corner, classical music fills the room as well-dressed guests mill about, chatting, tasting hors d'ouvres brought around by liveried servers, and shaking hands on agreements.
An exquisitely-dressed older woman greets you as you enter, though in addition to her Victorian-era fashion, she is, curiously, wearing an orange scarf loosely wrapped around her head.
No one is quite dancing yet—now is the time for socializing, and making the sorts of connections that the upper crust of society trade in.
Some among the assembled watch you with interest: a pair of nonhumans dressed in black, one in ceremonial armor; then also, a sweet-faced woman with beautiful red hair and a sad smile.
There is a Heliogram Station here.
From here you can go to the lower deck, the observation deck, the dining room, the outer deck, or the lecture hall.
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and why is everything so fancy. oh god.
T-TIME TO FAKE IT TILL HE MAKES IT.]
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THE COUNTESS
She tilts her head at the lot of you. "Though, I get the feeling you're here for our guest of honor—First-Keeper Naarabot is quite in demand these days, due to the recent controversy, so if you'd like to reach her, you'll need to use Influence to send a Heliogram from the station over there." She points, and indicates an odd box with a typewriter attached to it over in the corner.
"You'll need other influence than what you have to truly change anything, though... but others at the Salon will find those useful, so you might be able to get it from them! They're all really charming conversationalists—I picked them all out myself—so really, they're lovely to talk to no matter what!"
And on that note, she shoos you out into the ballroom, encouragingly.
Re: THE COUNTESS
More importantly, as she's being herded, it's time to go fishing ]
Thank you kindly for your hospitality, I am looking forward to the festivities... Hopefully this isn't too soon after the aforementioned...
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THE LOWER DECK
From here you can go to the bar, the gentlemen's lounge, or the grand ballroom.
CHANGES
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THE BAR
Along the center line of the lower deck is a well-stocked full bar. It has wine, all manner of liqueurs—both familiar and more exotic. Behind the bar, between the shelves of bottles and glasses, hangs an elaborate, filigreed full-face mask with two cutouts for eyes. Perhaps an acquisition from the owner's expeditions?
A bartender in vest and shirtsleeves offers to pour the lot of you a drink. There is a specials menu for the occasion that he slides across to you; it seems to have the drink of every current member of BARiTONES, although Kohime's seems to be something exotic called mavnoor.
From here you can go to the lower deck.
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THE GENTLEMEN'S LOUNGE
A warm, comfortable room in dark colors and rich leather; the smell of smoke fills the air from numerous cigar-smoking sessions, and there's a few bottles of expensive whiskey on the sideboard. A man swirls a glass of whiskey while working on some sort of manuscript, looking thoughtful.
From here you can go to the lower deck.
CHANGES
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CW that good 'ol historical racism
Re: CW that good 'ol historical racism
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THE LECTURE HALL
In one corner, there's... a door, maybe? Covered in what appears to be thick ice. It's cold to the touch.
From here, you can return to the grand ballroom, or look into what seems to be a small art studio, to the side.
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THE STUDIO
In the back, hidden, are a handful of amateurishly done ones that have been left in a bin. Several are chipped.
From here you can go back to the lecture hall.
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THE OBSERVATION DECK
A group of three men and one woman sit around the table, immersed in conversation; all are dressed finely, and one of the gentlemen has a glass of scotch.
From here you may return to the grand ballroom.
CHANGES
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THE DINING ROOM
A banquet table is laid out with all sorts of delights: tiny sandwiches, finger foods, dips, fine wine and lemonade. It's a feast fit for those who brush shoulders with kings, at least, and the fine guests hover around the table, chatting between their hors d'ourves. There is one non-human guest here in conversation with one of the groups as well, though they look strangely ill-at-ease.
From here you can go to the kitchen, the ladies' retiring room, the outer deck, or the grand ballroom.
CHANGES
THE LADIES' RETIRING ROOM?
This is... not really anything like a "ladies' retiring room." There's no couches to recline on, and, in fact, there's water an inch deep across the stone floor. In fact, it might be outside?
There's a raised podium in the center, near which an adult in vibrantly-colored Martian dress stands, looking through lecture notes. A number of younger people sit on the stone steps, chatting amongst themselves, waiting for the class to begin.
One seat is conspicuously empty. A ways away, out by the edge of the canal, stand one large man in loud, obnoxious colors and a head-wrapping, and one practically-dressed woman, both of whom also seem to be Martian.
In fact, there are no humans here at all.
From here you can go to the dining room or the kitchen.
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THE KITCHEN
Cooks and servants bustle around, toting large crocks of dip, trays of finger foods, and carafes of drinks to and fro to feed the gentlefolk in attendance. There doesn't seem to be a chef, and there's a lot of disorganization and mayhem about.
From here you can go to the dining room or the ladies' retiring room.
CHANGES
THE OUTER DECK
Here, you have a marvelous view from orbit; you can see the whole of the Earth and the sun from here, and Venus in the distance. There's a sort of flare happening from one side of the sun.
You have a fellow spectator, if you choose to stay: a slightly rough-edged man who seems a little down, smoking a cigar like a chimney.
From here you can return to the grand ballroom or go to the dining room.
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HECATES LACUS
And then you hear the rumbling, and see the rush of the water, from upstream. You have a minute, at best. ]
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