The Antonia stood at the window, through the bubble over the city and the flare of dragon fire she could glimpse the lush greenery of Antonica. The meeting, as usual, had been frustrating in only the way Councillor meetings could be, and as usual she had left with a dull headache. A small sound of movement at the door had her turn to see Murrar standing there with a couple baskets and two long, hooded, cloaks on his arms. She lifted an eyebrow at him and he nodded. "There is an adviser you have not yet spoken to, your Highness. I would suggest you change first though." He grinned at her surprise then dawning understanding before she nodded. About a candlemark later, two hooded figures carrying baskets filled with fruits, cheeses, bread and flasks of juice, tapped on the door of a ramshackle old mansion. They were admitted with little comment and no fanfare then led to the kitchen by a slight blond Ratonga female. Once there the baskets were accepted, placed on counter and the contents removed. As the small female set about making a nibble platter and pouring glasses, Murrar and the Antonia lowered their hoods and looked around the shabby, but cozy and clean kitchen. "Slipps, you could have come up to the castle, it is your right..." Shirrana started as the singer turned and offered them the repast and glasses of the juice. "Yous knows whys I nots, Highness, wes nots talks ofs thats nows." Slipps flicked an ear, tipping her head to meet the eyes of her taller guests. "Yous complains abouts a walks ins the citys?" She grinned at them knowing full well that the woman often did walk about when the atmosphere in the castle got too stuffy. "I wants talks abouts the Festivals." Murrar chuckled as the woman sighed just before sipping the juice. "The council was divided just as you predicted, Slipps, and the ones for, were mostly doing so to just oppose the others." The big Kerran male helped himself to some of the cheese and a slice of the crusty bread. "Wells, I thinks yous shoulds haves its, the peoples needs its fors its promise thats things continues, yis? Thats wes nots afraids, just hidings alls times." She picked up a grape as the Antonia stared at her. "Dragons, yis? Theys onlys bothers withs citys, nots cares abouts anys others? Thinks tolds attacks citys, nots peoples." Slipps popped the grape in her mouth and chewed, letting the other two think about that a moment before continuing. "Dragons heres, nots brights, yis?" Shirrana nodded slowly, holding her glass with both hands. "We had noticed that after the initial attack they just concentrated on the buildings and then the dome itself." She looked up at Murrar who nodded. "It is the same in Freeport." The Antonia tilted her head to the side as she regarded the Ratonga. "I confess I would rather have the Festival than not. To get out in the clean air and away from under this dome, to feel the sunshine on my skin and hear unworried laughter." The singer nodded, but said nothing yet as a couple children pelted into the kitchen followed by their harried mother, the trio helped make a snack for the newcomers, laughing as the younglings were shooed out again. If the woman knew who they were, she did not indicate so, or any surprise that Slipps would be talking to strangers in the kitchen. Slipps watched Shirrana's face the whole time. "Thems the reasons festivals should happens, was always the reasons. The peoples, yours peoples, nots fusspots ins castles." "Without the people, a city is just fancy pile of rock." The Antonia sounded like she was quoting someone, her eyes closed a moment, then she nodded. "All right, the Festival will go on, I shall set out the proclamation in the morning, then set about planning." Shirrana smiled at Slipps. "Thank you for reminding me what truly is important." "Yours welcomes, is whys wes heres." Slipps grinned back. "I lets others knows, yis?" "Yis." Murrar laughed. The next morning, as promised, Heralds were sent out to trumpet the news that though late, there would be a Festival of Unity this year, lasting an entire week as usual and taking place in the clean air of Antonica. If the preparations seemed swift and smoother than usual, the Antonia did not comment other than to offer a smile and appreciation to the people involved.
Join us at the 2014 Festival of Unity, running this year from August 24th through the 30th. Old favorites like the Joust, the Bardic and Iron Chef will be featured as well as new ones like a Cube Rodeo and Duck Wrangling. Archery is still Ranged! That's right, if you can shoot it, or throw it at a target, we want to see your skills! Attend the shows and venues! Of course there are prizes to go with the games, you simply supply the RP to make them more fun! All listed times are Eastern (8pm EST = 7pm CST = 6pm MST = 5pm PST = 12mid GMT). All activities will be held in the primary instance in the event of overflow. Due to real life, times, events, locations may be altered slightly, but we do try to hold each event, on time. Evils are welcome to attend, please just do not act evil. We also ask, in order to minimize lag in the zone, that pets, mercs and mounts be left at home and turn off particle effects, please. /join festival to hear more in game about the goings on of the events and to learn about special event channels. Sunday the 24th: 1-1:30 PM Opening Ceremonies at the Claymore in Antonica 1:30-4 PM Caravan Rush at Champion's Arena 4-7 PM Joust/Wayfinders at Champion's Arena 7-8 PM Cupcake Eating at Windstalker Village 8-? PM Nutshell/Wishing Well at Windstalker Village Monday the 25th 6-8 PM Cube Rodeo at McQuibble's Farm 8-9:30 PM Green Dragon/Fashion Show at Windstalker Village 9:30-10 PM Green Dragon/Cute Pets at Windstalker Village 10-? PM Soulfire/Cute pets at Windstalker Village Tuesday the 26th 5:30-7 PM Duck Wrangling at Windstalker Village 7-8 PM Ranged targets in Archer's Wood 8-8:30 PM Spider at Windstalker Village/Ranged targets in Archer's Wood 8:30-10 PM Spider/Pie Toss at Windstalker Village 10-? PM Spider at Windstalker Village Wednesday the 27th 2-4 PM Arena of Honor at Champion's Arena 4-6 PM Over the Edge at Windstalker Village cliff 6-8 PM Arena of Honor at Champion's Arena 8-? PM Combine at Windstalker Village/Brellian Chess at location to be announced Thursday the 28th 6-8 PM Caber Toss at McQuibble's Farm 8-? PM Fancy/Scavenger Hunt at Windstalker Village Friday the 29th 5-6:30 PM Ranged targets in Archer's Wood 6:30-8 PM Haiku at Windstalker Village 8-? PM Bardic at Windstalker Village Saturday the 30th 12-2 PM High Dive at the sea cliff by Oracle Tower 2-4 PM Fishing Contest at Windstalker Village 4-7 PM Feyiron Chef at the Pavillion 7-8 PM Parade of Champions starts at the Lighthouse ends at Closing ceremonies in Windstalker Village 8-? PM Black Market/After Hours at Windstalker Village The Festival of Unity, held every year in Antonica, is run by RP players in the community with help from SOE Devs in setting up the event sites and donating prizes. So a huge thank you to all of them! More information can be found at http://fou.ravenfire.net.
Today is Day 2 of the Festival of Unity! All listed times are Eastern (8pm EST = 7pm CST = 6pm MST = 5pm PST = 12mid GMT). All activities will be held in the primary instance in the event of overflow. Due to real life, times, events, locations may be altered slightly, but we do try to hold each event, on time. Evils are welcome to attend, please just do not act evil. We also ask, in order to minimize lag in the zone, that pets, mercs and mounts be left at home and turn off particle effects, please. /join festival to hear more in game about the goings on of the events and to learn about special event channels. Monday the 25th 6-8 PM Cube Rodeo at McQuibble's Farm 8-9:30 PM Green Dragon/Fashion Show at Windstalker Village 9:30-10 PM Green Dragon/Cute Pets at Windstalker Village 10-? PM Soulfire/Cute pets at Windstalker Village
