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During the Beltane festival evenings within the Southern Glen, when the adults gather and during the Masked ball, men in fine tailored suits dart in and out of the crowd. They are very good at being unobtrusive in addition to being remarkably nimble on their feet. Dark haired, blond, red headed or gray, all of them shared the silver suits and what stunningly appear to be real silver full face masks. While varying skin colors, height, and eye color can be ascertained, all facial features and whence they came or who they represent is apparently secret.

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None of them speak, but all of them carry silver platters with expertly hand crafted crystal wine glasses filled with a luxurious red wine. Their demeanor lacks anything sinister, in fact they seem in rather good spirits to anyone declining the offer of a free glass of wine before long strides carry them to the next.

While they do not seem to have a booth set up anywhere, nor do they appear to be allowed to speak?they do wear a clue upon their person: a half-silver of a moon pinned to the lapel of their suit jackets.

When sampled, one might be prone to exclaim the red wine (should it be to their tastes) be of extremely excellent vintage, age, and unique bouquet.

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(Please no fighting in or around booth thank you)

Magical Delights" booth for Beltane is what appears to be an ancient circular standing stone monument (think Stonehenge) 10ft. high and 20 ft. across, spanning the top of the circle is a tight weave of branches, thickly interlaced with flowering orchid vines, that form a solid roof that keeps out both rain and sun, the base of each upright is thick with clusters of fern fronds of varying heights in different shades of green, while within the circle the floor is a thick carpet of multi-shades and tones of green that looks like moss on a forest floor. At the circles center is a three ft. across and 1ft deep fire pit within it is a 8ft high and 2ftacross cluster of raw crystals that serve as a fire not only give brightly flickering light but non burning warmth as well.

Of twelve, one arch, the entrance is empty, a stride inward in the other eleven, is a clear crystal spirals, with dozens of branches under arching off, ending in slightly cupped display platforms, rotating very slowly that from some inner light sparkle like dew at sunrise, are they solid or magical energy of Beltane. The spirals are indeed solid for on, the first four on the left, are tulips, daffodils, iris and other spring flowers crafted in crystals of bright jewel tones and soft pastels in an array of colors, some cut others in pots also floor vases of clear crystal decorated with emerald colored inlays of fern fronds hold three ft. cut twigs of blooming fruit trees, forsythias, and pussy willows. The only way to know that the flowers are not real is to touch them the eyes of most would be fooled. *

The three spirals across the back were crystal musical instruments, clear and shades of greens, self-playing and manually played, singing crystals, flutes, hand held harps, and reed pipes, crystal wind chimes in natural colors, shaped like birds butterflies and flowers hang from above. **

The final four are, in natural colors and size for their species, are crystals skillfully crafted and animated, nest of chirping baby birds little mouths opening and closing and their singing parents, single, and double adult birds heads bobbing bodies swaying and wings flapping singing the song of their kind, and eggs that hatch into chirping chicks. *** Life like crystal baby animals move and slept alone or in groups among the upright stones ****

(Silver crown =U.S. dollar) *Flower prices each Tulips=2sc Daffodils=2sc Iris=5sc Other spring flowers=2sc Cut twigs of fruit trees, forsythias, and pussy willows=20sc

**Instrument prices/Wind chime prices Manually played (m) Self-playing (s) Singing crystals= m 30sc/s 50sc Flutes= m 10sc/s15sc Handheld Harps=m20sc/s50sc Reed pipes=m 10sc/s15sc Crystal wind chimes=25sc

***bird prices Nest of baby birds and their parents, 50sc Adult birds= single10sc pair20sc Eggs that hatch=15sc

****baby animal prices Moving50sc Asleep40sc

Though other members of the ConColor Pride may be at the booth most likely Anders younger sisters Terra and Ginger will be there.( N.P.C. they will be friendly but not flirtatious, feel free to interact with them in a respectful manner do not harm or abuse them, the booth, or its contents .) (Concealed with-in the uprights are storage areas and a register) Within the stone circle move, with feline grace, twin maidens of 19 yrs., slender of built and pleasing to the eye, with light golden ember skin and ember eyes flecks with emerald. they wore modestly deep V-neck crys-silk blouse with full slightly flared sleeves (folded in and up and gathered tight at the wrist) of pale yellow, marbled with sprigs of flowering fruit trees twigs, a spring green gossamer hood draped their upper backs mostly covered by their loose wavy light golden amber hair that reached their mid backs, it is inter woven with fragment spring herbs and grasses.

Each wore a pair of AmTamir style pants (heavily pleated so they looked like a full length skirt the bottom folded in and up and gathered tight at the ankles) the mahogany back ground barely visible because of thick clusters of fern fronds in different shades of green from mint to emerald. A leather belt that looks like braided grass with a tiger swallowtail butterfly crystal buckle, around their waist here there was a single difference between them, for tucked in ones" (Terra) belt was a ember crystal flute and in the others (Ginger) is a set of crystal reed pipes (pan flute) of emerald green which either or both may play if the mood strikes them. On their feet a pair of mahogany softened leather moccasin slippers trimmed at the top and along the outside of each boot tooled and hand painted a tri-toned vine bright with miniature flower of multi jewel tones,

Amongst the booths, banners, ads and other announcements, there is placed another at various locations, printed in bright green ink on white paper in letters large enough to be attention-getting.

From the Desk of Edward K. Batten

To the nominees and participants of this year's Beltane May Queen/Green Man competition, I offer to the winner the use of my luxury vacation house, Asile-aux-Falaises, for the duration of the Beltane festivities, as well as to any guests they wish to invite to stay with them.

The house is located in historic Old Rhy'din, set atop a cliff on 23 acres near to the old Rhy'din castle overlooking the bay to the south. With an AI-monitored environmental control system that can be controlled via voice command or any of the touch-screen panels conveniently located throughout the house, a fully-stocked kitchen and 24-hour staff, and a limousine and driver made available to them anytime they wish, the winners and their guests (if any) will enjoy being pampered in the lap of luxury during their stay.

The keys to the house will be presented personally by myself at the announcement of the May Queen and her Green Man.

Good luck to the participants, and best wishes for Beltane!

- E.K.B

Astrological Readings by Van Blaudin

When Fiora had approached me regarding a booth I was a little concerned with the image of it. I'd worked hard to cultivate a more sophisticated image than my gypsy past. But to turn my back upon the Beltane"

My sister, recently appointed to the Institute of Arcane Principle, was excited about the opportunity to work together again and I could not resist the chance to see her smile again.

As a concession, however, the booth was elegantly appointed, representing the Plaza de Troyes as my workplace while advertising Celestial Readings:

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Bianca, dressed more traditionally, eagerly primed her instruments for her music and dance would bring in many:

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((I'm not sure if I'll be able to attend that evening, however I would love to conduct a 'reading' for your character to be added to the Astrological Readings thread. If you're interested in hammering out the details of your characters birthdate please send me a PM. Bianca is a NPC so interactions are open — limiting violence and intimacy))

*edited to add the link

Trina's Bakery will be donating cupcakes for the event of Beltane! http://i.imgur.com/3ZuIX.jpg

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Look for these magnificent treats through out the 3 day celebrations, including the Masquerade ball.

Beer for Beltane!

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Silver Mark Brewing Co. is proud to present Heideland Hefeweizen, their brand new wheat beer which will premiere at this year's Beltane celebration! This beer and the others will be available to sample thanks to the hard-working barmaids*, who will be found at Beltane on the evenings of April 30th and May 1st offering three-ounce beer samples and taking orders for full pints of beer, priced at two silver crowns apiece.

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Beer may also be purchased in pints or in casks for your home or restaurant, to be delivered within three to five business days, at the Silver Mark Brewing Co.'s Beltane Beer Tent (SMBCBBT for short). The following varieties of beer will be available:

Silver Mark Lager, the company's flagship beer, developed by and often brewed at the hands of Alain DeMuer and Atalanta Trenoweth. It is a crystal clear, golden-colored beer that pours with a two-finger head that dissipates quickly. It smells of herbal hops but the taste is very balanced, with a crisp and light-bodied mouth. A very accessible and drinkable beer.

Baron's Batch, all brewed by Alain DeMuer as part of his personal hobby: developing the perfect Belgian-style ale. While it should be noted that no two batches of this ale are alike, they can be classified as a Belgian strong pale ale, and this one is stronger than any other Silver Mark offers. It is quite pale and clear, like the Silver Mark Lager, but its one-finger head dissipates into lingering clumps of lace; the smell is spicy and fruity, with a hint of its high alcohol content. The taste is complex and powerful, with strong showings from the hops, the yeast and the alcohol. A decidedly full-bodied beer.

Evil Empire IPA, a popular brew in New Haven's caf's and wine bars. It is intensely hoppy and sour, and prepares the drinker for this with its first herbal whiff. The beer pours with a thin head, and has startling clarity and an amber color. It tastes as bitter as it is hoppy and makes no apologies for being a classic IPA. A serious beer for serious beer drinkers.

Black Mountain Porter, released only this winter, a landmark in the relations between dwarven and gnomish brewers as they combined their efforts for this deliciously malty beer. It pours murky and dark, with a surprisingly thick and creamy head, but is more warm and spicy than sweet, with a medium body. A classic winter beer, and your last chance to have a pint of this brew until November 2011.

Heideland Hefeweizen, the brewery's newest offering, an unfiltered wheat ale brewed in a classic German style. It is cloudy and orange and pours with a fluffy white head, and like many of its type, smells and tastes rather strongly of citrus in spite of its medium body and bitterness. A tasty beer of medium complexity, perfect for spring and summer weather.

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Alpha, A New Cologne By Harris The drawing point wasn't the booth itself, but instead the large advertising blimp that hovered directly over the festivities, equipped with a flashing digital display. The main text that scrolled continuously read, "Alpha, the cologne by Harris! If you can't be a man, at least smell like one! Booth located directly below this blimp! Buy a bottle and receive a kiss from the official Alpha spokesvixen, Clover!" The following pair of advertisements flashed intermittently as well.

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The booth itself is unremarkable, at least in comparison to the blimp overhead, as the booth's spokesvixen, Clover, is meant to catch the eye of any passerbys. ((When not manned by Clover the booth is empty and the digital display on the blimp is dark. Inventory items are available, so feel free to PM me if your character makes a purchase and you'd like one. Credit for the images goes to the incomparable Paige Connelly.))

Located beneath the forest green canopy tent is the booth from Delectable Cravings Catering.

In celebration of the Beltane feast their menu features an updated version of the traditional scottish oatcake. The fire baked oatcake is topped with a small micro-green salad and poached quail egg.

An assortment of canapes and finger food is available including : Pine nut, broad bean, pea & mint crostini Filo pastry baskets with goat's cheese and caramelised red onion chutney Quail's egg filo tarts with smoked salmon, cr?me fraiche & dill Seared duck breast with cherry compote Marigold custard in honey almond pastry puffs A variety of sugared flower petals Prosciutto wrapped summer melon Fresh oysters on a half shell as well as Oyster Rockefeller for those who like their aphrodisiacs cooked.

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(Booth NPC's are the owner of DCC Blair, Francois and Tommy)

Ailis Orway ? Midwife and Herbal Remedies

(Purchases may be NPC'd if player is not there. Booth would be manned by Ailis.)

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Eregor's Garden

A late addition to this year's Beltane booths, Eregor's Garden boasts a wide variety of plants to suit any decor. Tree saplings are arranged upon the ground, potted flowers of all types rest upon the tabletop, ivy twines upon frameworks on either side, and there are even air plants hanging from the tent ceiling.

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If you're looking for something to add a touch of green and springtime to your home, office, or garden, then Eregor has it for you.

Shipping available at no additional charge.