Seizing the dramatic moment Aurelia provides, the woman casts back her hood to reveal her familiar features.
"Indeed! It is I, Delmonia Crape! These hoity-toity servants seem to be under the impression that only the rich and fancy are allowed to be artists. Hence, the outfit, to point out one should not hew too closely to one's preconceived notions. Abolish bias!"
The servants trip all over themselves to apologize to Delmonia. The other guests give some light applause, while Zachrin nods in appreciation of the stunt and your reactions to it.
OOC:
You have gained 1 Fete Point.
With Delmonia’s arrival settled, Zachrin ushers the partygoers back into the main hall, where the servants have taken the displayed artwork away so the stage can serve as a dance floor. Musicians are preparing in the orchestra pit as Zachrin announces the next event, a Dance of Masked Devils. Several in the crowd clap and cheer in delight.
A Dance of Masked Devils is a celebration of the unmasking of devils within Ravounelian society, consisting of an eclectic mix of line dancing, whirling dervish, musical chairs, tag, and even chess-like strategies and moves. Each participant dons a wooden devil mask (supplied by Zachrin). As they’re defeated, contestants add their masks to a growing pile in a large cauldron set in the center of the stage. The final dancer standing gets the honor of removing their mask, lighting it on fire, and tossing their burning mask into the cauldron to "send the devils back to the fires of Hell."
For a half hour, guests are invited to mingle and dance on the stage or to gather in the auditorium to watch and chat. The competition takes up the second half hour, with anyone wishing to participate in the competition being assigned a mask and then joining the other competitors on stage.
OOC:
In addition to basic Fete Activities, the PCs can pursue either of the following Fete Activities during the second hour.
DANCE WITH A PARTNER CONCENTRATE, EXPLORATION
A PC spends a half hour dancing. If they do so with another PC, or if the PC decides to dance by themselves, no checks are attempted, but no Fete Points can be earned. If a PC chooses to dance with one of the notable NPCs, the PC should attempt a Performance check against their partner’s Will DC to earn Fete Points.
COMPETE IN THE DANCE CONCENTRATE, EXPLORATION
This Fete Activity can only be attempted once during the second half hour. A PC who wishes to compete in the Dance of the Masked Devils attempts three DC 28 Performance checks to accrue Fete Points. Any PC who achieves at least 2 Victory Points places in the final round, while a PC who achieves 4 or more Victory Points wins the competition; if multiple PCs potentially win, the PC with the most Victory Points is the winner. In the event of a tie, the PCs should choose which of them wins. If no PC wins, Elleste Gudgeon wins, and her increased confidence grants her a +2 circumstance bonus to Perception and Will for the rest of the evening.
