The Courting Season

Description

The annual courting season transforms Castle Vervson into a pressure cooker of political maneuvering, romantic entanglements, and carefully orchestrated social warfare. Noble houses arrive with their heirs seeking advantageous marriages, while the Royal Guard is assigned as both protectors and chaperones to prevent scandals. For Caelum Cadere, the season represents both opportunity and danger—a chance to secure alliances for a house teetering on ruin, but also exposure to nobles who might exploit their weakness or discover their supernatural affliction. Session 4 update: The annual ritual of noble matchmaking reaches its ceremonial peak at the Suitors Ball, where practiced dances and formal announcements mask vicious political calculation. Caelum navigates unwanted attention from multiple houses while the season's true stakes—alliances, power, and House Cadir's survival—become devastatingly clear when fire transforms social warfare into literal chaos. Session 8 update: The courting season's peculiar rituals continue with the Grand Ball's morning garden party, where marriage prospects are evaluated through rowing competence and conversation skills. Kalem faces the brutal social theater firsthand: Celeste Gildon claiming them for a promenade before the event even begins, false engagement rumors circulating through the court, and the exhausting rotation of potential matches. Each boat ride reveals different aspects of noble expectation—Kiri Ixson's passionate discussion of horses and archery, the Stormweather sisters' conflicting values about north versus capital, and the Vervson family's open hostility when Janan explicitly declines his turn and Aisling rows aggressive circles while Aiden taunts. Meanwhile, Thalara attempts to blend with other guards but her fine new Corvine attire marks her as something else—neither quite noble nor quite servant, drawing confused attention from Isabella Kirianth and others. The season progresses with increasing pressure on all participants to secure advantageous matches before time runs out. Session 9 update: The annual courting season's peculiar rituals continue with the Grand Ball's morning garden party, where marriage prospects are evaluated through rowing competence and conversation skills. Caelum faces brutal social theater: false engagement rumors circulating through court, Lady Celeste claiming him based on an impersonator's proposal, young Elijah Ferdenstone seeking alliance to win the Queen's hand, and Daria aggressively questioning his honor. Each boat ride reveals different aspects of noble expectation and the exhausting performance required to navigate courtly matchmaking. The false engagement scandal threatens to define Caelum's entire season, demonstrating how easily reputation can be weaponized. Meanwhile, the Prince's personal interest in Caelum adds unexpected warmth to the otherwise calculating social warfare. Session 17 update: The annual courting season reaches its grand centerpiece with the Red Shepherd Games—a week-long tournament where second and third-born nobles display martial prowess to catch the eyes of eligible firstborns, particularly the Queen seeking a consort. Security has doubled following recent attacks, but still crowds stream onto castle grounds to witness noble peacocking transformed into combat sport. For the Heroes, the Games represent both opportunity and minefield: Thalara competes as House Cadir's champion while simultaneously working to sabotage Elijah Ferdenstar, protect royal heirs from assassins, and navigate the awkward social dynamics of pre-tournament schmoozing. The season's peculiar rituals continue, but now with swords in hand. Session 18 update: The courting season reaches its ceremonial centerpiece with the Red Shepherd Games—a week-long tournament where noble houses compete for glory and romantic prospects. Thalara represents House Cadir in gleaming borrowed armor, mercilessly defeating opponents while the Heroes work parallel missions. Prince Vis participates in golden armor, creating opportunities for encounters with Caelum. The Games serve as both genuine competition and elaborate social theater where courtships advance or collapse based on martial performance. Security has doubled following recent attacks, yet crowds still stream onto castle grounds to witness nobility at war.

Key Figures (7)

Timeline