Topic: Beltane 2017: The Meadowmeet

JewellRavenlock

Date: 2017-04-21 16:00 EST
Date: Friday, May 5th Time: All Day (live play begins at 8:00pm RST) Location: Woods of Battlefield Park (The Marketplace)

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"DANGER AHEAD' and "TURN BACK NOW? the hastily painted wooden signs proclaim, stuck in tufts of dandelions along the cart path leading into the thick and dangerous woods of Battlefield Park. The more friendly ghosts of the district linger along the edges of the path, trying to urge market-goers away for their own good, but the faeries have extended such a gracious invitation to the citizens of RhyDin to enjoy their Meadowmeet this day, and many are drawn forward against their better judgment. It really is too tempting to resist!

The path ends abruptly in an open meadow, the trees of Battlefield Park forming a living wall around it. One behemoth of a tree stands at its center all alone, around which the Meadowmeet has been built this year: a multi-level, wooden boardwalk, as broad as a city street, wrapping around the tree's thick trunk and filled with booths standing shoulder to shoulder, their colorful canvas roofs stirred by the cool spring breeze. Entertainers wander the crowd of different creatures packing the large boardwalk as do pickpockets.

A broad wooden staircase leads from one level to the next up up up towards the branches high above. The top levels (for those who dare to go so high) are for magic workers and those who practice the arts or sell material needed for the darkest and most intricate of spells. Here you can find the most dangerous ingredients all for a price.

The third level of the market has booths selling wares and goods (rare and mundane) from RhyDin and Beyond. Find beautiful bolts of cloth woven with glamour; mirrors to hang on your wall which will compliment you every morning; enchanted mops and brooms that will clean house for you; amulets for protection; love spells; combs that make your hair shine and never go gray; liquour that loosens the tongue and will make anyone a poet.

The second level holds games of luck, chance, and skill with prizes the like of which are rarely seen. Locate the pebble under the glass; guess how many pixie wings are in a jar; shoot as many milk jugs as you can; arm wrestle a half-giant; throw sporting balls through a spiderweb hoop. There are also gambling tables for those who will dare bet with the fae. Be careful not to lose your soul or name!

The ground level is dedicated to food and drink of a like that would make even the most stoic citizen drool. The scent of roasted meat, battered cakes, sweets, mead, ale, and fey wine and water fill the air. Tables are spread out across the clearing, beneath the reaching branches of the great tree. Merchants ply their wares here too, wandering from group to group with trinkets, trifles, and baubles.

Across the meadow from the market tree, a rustic stage has been erected. Throughout the day and late into the night, different acts, artists, storytellers, musicians, and entertainers do their best to please the crowd. Beware: there is magic in their entertainment that can make the soul of their art come alive. Nearby, there is a dais for the May Queen and her Green Man to preside over the festivities if they so wish.

Along the border wall of trees, there is room for sporting—cockatrice fights and warg races (with redcap jockeys)—as well as rings set aside for dueling. The fae love to cheer on their favorite mortal fighters, but they walk away disappointed in the end when no one dies in the rings.

As twilight comes upon the clearing, lanterns float through the air, fires spring up across the grass, and pixies with their devilish lights dance through the evening sky. Other creatures, those not meant for the light of day, also venture out into the crowd in greater numbers.

The fae have granted safety and protection to their guests for the day according to the old laws of hospitality, but those who have lived in RhyDin should know all too well the worth of such promises.

((This is both a board event and a live event. The live event starts at 8:00pm EST, but people can post all day long with their characters visiting the meet.

Please feel free to go wild with fae NPCs working/attending the event. If you would like your character to have a booth or provide entertainment at the event, please feel free to include that information below!

Many thanks to Mallory for naming this for me and collaborating with me to save it from total doldrums.))

Pharlen

Date: 2017-04-21 17:58 EST
A third story bower of brilliant tapestries and potted ivy in draping vines defined the shop space of a most elegant Cait Sith, Shagnastic Sir Character, of the Forest, set out the most tempting of wares riven from the very heart of Nature.

Cups and bowls turned from the finest hardwoods eternally sprouted leaves and twigs, ever growing and ever lively. No food nor drink could ever become decayed or foul when served within them.

Boxes of polished woods opened secret drawers, revealing chambers that sang quiet birdsong, or gave voice to the rushing stream or sighing winds. As small as a fist and as large as a wardrobe, these enclosures kept safe whatever was set within them, free of moths, tarnish, and theft alike.

Frames of living wood, baskets of singing rattan weaves, delicate flutes and whistles, pen holders, phone and pad cases, book covers, crochet and knitting needles, all crafted from the fine woods and leaves and life of the Forest.

Shagnastic's crowning pieces, a loom which would weave silks like cobwebs from the meanest of threads, and a spinning wheel which would spin any fiber into a glorious gossamer, sang a beautiful duet, working without a hand upon them, crafting yards and yards of beautiful thread and fabric. Of course, the fabric was for sale, as well.

The prices were equal to the beauty of the pieces, though Shagnastic would bargain and barter alike. But don't insult his intelligence, or absolutely nothing will be for sale after all. And don't try to steal, the lovely potted ivies are quick and nasty to twine up a light fingered patron.

And if one knew to ask, Shaggy would gladly take a brave customer for a little jaunt in his gyrocopter. It is PERFECTLY safe.

Shaggy will bargain quite a bit for fresh or cured meats, high end power tools, new or gently used, and vintage engine and body parts for aircraft.

http://i.imgur.com/LS59wNJ.jpg

Jackie Von Tombs

Date: 2017-04-21 18:30 EST
What would a festival be without a lovely photo stand filled with costumes and backdrops designed to turn your humdrum reality into something amazing and spectacular, or at least sexy and with a few fake guns?

Jackie decided that she should make just such a booth, and collected racks of steam punk clothing and accessories. She created several little steam punk-y scenes for backgrounds, then disguised her digital camera in the casing of an old box-type camera.

Using Saila as her test model, Jackie took several photos. The photos quickly printed up, and Jackie mulled over their sepia and tin-plate glory. It just wasn't enough. Saila helped as best she could but was confused. Learning about steam punk was certainly interesting.

When in doubt, drag your little brother the mage brat into it. Desdenova demanded a fair cut of the take, and sat behind the camera.

http://i.imgur.com/WPiRFzr.jpg

Saila and Jackie would quickly help the customer suit up in steam punk gear, and Desdenova would idly cast a small illusion spell to briefly turn the props to reality.

Fancy vintage cars, crescent moons, dark tombs and sewers, wild west bars, dirigibles and Victorian submarines, folding wings, stars and jail cells and more were all waiting for an intrepid model to suit up and pose!

The photos popped with life and energy and so much steam punk. Everything from goggles to bustles to rayguns and eldritch horrors would transform even the daintiest fae into a bad ass of the ages. With an instant photo and for an additional fee, a digital copy sent to their email or extra paper copies. 'Wanted' posters and such could also be printed up right there!

Desdenova didn't realize that his magic in the temporary realm of fae might have a few malfunctions....But it's all good, the effects would vanish when the fair was done!

Probably.

(Feel free to have a few steam punk related mishaps after a photo. ;D Perhaps the costume worn for the photo returns every time it's removed. Or the eldritch horror tags along like a pup. Or everything appears in sepia tone. All the effects should end by Sunday, unless they're really cool and you want to keep it. Have fun with it! :D)

Kitty Helston

Date: 2017-04-22 13:44 EST
House Helston loves loves LOVES Beltane!

This year they had set up a booth selling vials of the well known pink drink "Liquid Heat".

http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/q508/KittyHelston/House%20Helston/LiquidHeat_zpshuvxbdnm.jpg

Also, courtesy of the Helston owned stores "The Purple Pussycat", baskets offering up prophylactics in various colors were set out.

http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/q508/KittyHelston/House%20Helston/basket%20of%20condoms_zpsqgfyoayu.jpg

Each basket was clearly marked with a little sign that said..

"FREE! The employees of The Purple Pussycat and everyone at House Helston ask you to be safe this Beltane!"

The Redneck

Date: 2017-04-27 12:58 EST
Cheek-by-jowl arrangements made it hard to stand out. They also made it easy to blend in.

The booth was just like the many around it on the surface. Under that veneer however, there was more.

Rare gems in various sizes and cuts, prepped and polished and just waiting for the layering of spells upon them, or to be crushed and used. Herbs from the Planes, upper and lower, hung in drying bundles, their names listed on handprinted cards pinned to their joined stalks. Tanned hides in rolls to sell by the foot or yard, or precut, waiting to be blocked out for bindings, ranging from the mundane cow leather to dragon hide to the, well exotic. Woods from different worlds and realities stacked neatly by alignment, size, use and alignment.

The proprietor was a pleasant faced grandmotherly woman who sat spinning fiber into yarn or thread, but had a cheery word and welcoming greeting for any who looked over her wares. And a mouth full of broken, rotting teeth and blackened, decaying gums that flashed when she smiled.

For a price, anything and everything could be bought, and if you didn't see it on display, there's more in the back.

The Redneck

Date: 2017-04-27 13:12 EST
Confections and pastries abound!

From the infamous hamster shaped cream puffs to candies that seemed to be spring flowers in bud and full bloom to cupcakes that resembled little faerie villages or forest glades to thumb sized sugar sculptures and too many more to list. The booth tucked up with so many others of its ilk did a steady business among young and old alike.

The pastry chefs on hand even offered demonstrations and lessons in cake decorating and candy making for anyone interested. And during the hustle and bustle several masters of their crafts could be seen, were meant to be seen really, working on their crowning glory.

A fairy tale confection of a garden done in the soft, burgeoning colors of spring. With a mind boggling level of detail, down to the whiskers on a marzipan and white chocolate mouse scratching his ear behind a bed of gerbera daisies, by the end of the day there was more than enough of the fancy for everyone still enjoying the 'Meet to have a taste, or twelve.

JewellRavenlock

Date: 2017-05-02 13:19 EST
Beyond the Veil (the shop still closed since the bombing in early February) had a booth present on the first floor to sell wholesale spirits from beyond the veil as well as glasses of different liquor for festival goers.

Jewell did not work the booth herself, leaving that task to one of her employees. Instead, the May Queen spent most of the morning at the Meadowmeet wandering the boardwalk: buying, selling, bartering, and mingling with the fae and faeries in attendance. She did not gamble at the tables (that was for later in the evening perhaps), but placed a bet on one of the preliminary warg races.

In the early afternoon, she settled down on the dais erected for the Queen and her Green Man. From there, she offered kisses to many and a blessing to most. She also enjoyed the afternoon's entertainment. A singer whose music moved her to tears. The bard whose story came to life in wisps of smoke that floated in the air above the stage. The acrobatic troop that made her laugh with their antics.

In the evening, when the crowd grew thick, she left the dais to mingle and enjoy the market once again.

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KoyanAlHamid

Date: 2017-05-04 15:47 EST
Jewelry Booth

Koyan arranged to have a booth set up for the women of Alvaka. The girls were the same as the ones who ran a similar booth in the marketplace, and roadside out near Koyan's home. Sweet, often smiling, and definitely of Turkish heritage, the women were there to sell their handmade jewelry. Many pieces were Ottoman era inspired, but not all: necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings and body jewelry (from the tame to the illicit) were all represented.

Intricate dagger sheaths and jeweled cigarette cases had also been provided.

Every customer would be treated with charming kindness and unfailing politeness.

http://68.media.tumblr.com/dfbc800ad933943c5885343b9469bc92/tumblr_inline_opg0z7ncfT1tibghi_500.jpg http://68.media.tumblr.com/b806402bb2403d83b2c0b1608f26b04a/tumblr_inline_opg0ikj17S1tibghi_500.jpg http://68.media.tumblr.com/d5817164c1a70d6815e6105746b038c8/tumblr_inline_opg0o164S71tibghi_400.jpg http://68.media.tumblr.com/33f9c331cf20b310bb43265f879d6c35/tumblr_inline_opg0h0JnOI1tibghi_1280.jpg http://68.media.tumblr.com/a6b5293e2dd4fa0228eda2af51b86a82/tumblr_inline_opg0goFB9X1tibghi_400.jpg http://68.media.tumblr.com/7708ff41152102833dca4f57e394118e/tumblr_inline_opg0gtl3hb1tibghi_500.jpg http://68.media.tumblr.com/d0a06d14a66cfde9b4f8d44c9b835abb/tumblr_opg0zdhcWs1v0mgh2o1_1280.jpg

Jackie Von Tombs

Date: 2017-05-05 16:47 EST
The Steam Punk Photo Booth is Open for Business!

Senka

Date: 2017-05-05 20:37 EST
A night at The Meadowmeet

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Bailey Raptis

Date: 2017-05-05 21:18 EST
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Josette Wheeler

Date: 2017-05-05 23:22 EST
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Layla Wasem

Date: 2017-05-06 00:06 EST
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Jezebel Calient

Date: 2017-05-06 03:06 EST
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NorseLady

Date: 2017-05-06 03:57 EST
Shy decided on wearing an oldie, but a favourite dress to Meadowmeet:

http://i.imgur.com/9CpwgX9.jpg http://i.imgur.com/ilwXDcI.jpg

KhaoticBliss

Date: 2017-05-08 16:08 EST
https://68.media.tumblr.com/acdb1466415317398fa53c3796f86983/tumblr_opnh19YyNr1v05l6no1_540.jpg

"Okay, explain this to me one more time. What, exactly, is steampunk?"

From around eleven in the morning until call time at the Shanachie, Saila gamely assisted Jackie and Des in their operation of the Steampunk Photobooth (of Chaos!) assisting the various guests with their costume selections, changing costumes a few times herself, and generally trying not to cause too much trouble.

Best laid plans, and all...

((Big thanks to the player of Jackie von Tombs for shanghai-ing Saila into this while I was too sick to participate! <3))