[Mordae]

The Invitation

A crisp, light floral scent greets your nostrils as you open the wax-sealed outer envelope and extract the perfumed inner. The Grand Duke had never before spared any expense in making his events the most extravagant in all Theah, and this was no exception. The inner envelope is personally addressed to you in the most formal, title-bedecked manner possible--all in gold lettering that shimmers in the candlelight. Nestled within was the still-more-formal placard itself, written in strict Montaigne so as to be easily translated by even the most incompetent Avalon.

Mesdames et messieurs,

Bonjour et bienvenue au vingt-troisième Festival des Vaillants! Au cours des trois semaines suivantes, les plus grands chevaliers dans tous les royaumes--plus de cent vingt en tout--concurrencera pour le divertissement de sa majesté, Roi François Alexandre, et pour la bourse professionnelle de Sols d'or de dix-millièmes. Le tournoi se composera de trois étages: la lance, le macis, et l'épée. Seulement le champion dont la force des bras est sans pair émergera victorieux. Chaque soirée comportera un régal dans le pavillon grand, comportant des spécialités des quinze provinces Montaigneuse, avec la danse, la musique, et d'autres divertissements appropriés aux appétits les plus fins.

Nous faisons ainsi attendez avec intérêt la grace de votre présence au festival cette année, et demandent la faveur de votre réponse prompte afin d'assurer vos besoins soient correctement occupés.

Donné par ma main sur ceci l'onzième jour du mois de Quartus, en l'année quatorze cent quatre-vingt-sept,

Grand Duc Pierre Montalban de Crieux
Vivent le Roi!

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good day and welcome to the twenty-third Festival of the Gallants! Over the next three weeks, the greatest knights in all the realms--over one hundred twenty in all--will compete for the entertainment of His Majesty, King François Alexandre, and for the prize purse of ten thousand gold Sols. The tourney will consist of three stages: the lance, the mace, and the sword. Only the champion whose strength of arms is without peer will emerge victorious. Each evening will feature a feast in the grand pavilion, featuring specialties of the fifteen provinces of Montaigne along with dancing, music, and other entertainments suitable for the finest appetites.

We do so look forward to the grace of your presence at this year's festival, and request the favor of your prompt reply so as to ensure your needs are properly attended.

Given by my hand on this the eleventh day of the month of Quartus, in the year fourteen hundred eighty seven,

Grand Duke Pierre Montalban de Crieux
Long live the King!

Ten thousand Sols... a most magnificent sum indeed, but far less valuable than the honor of victory and the favor of the richest and most powerful nobles of Montaigne. And it is said that high nobles of other nations will be attending this year, including the Crown Princess Anna of Castille. Never known for her love of the arts of combat, rumor has it she has set her sights on the youngest son of Roi François Alexandre and that the visit is merely a pretense for their courtship...

Greetings, fellow Myth-Weavers, and welcome to The Golden Age of Knighthood! This is a

Classic, not d20

7th Sea game for 4-6 players. Set in a time of relative peace, turmoil lurks beneath the surface of every noble pretense. Politics and strength of arms come face to face in the great tourney and the events that follow. Are you ready for the games, and the Game?

Setting

The Golden Age of Knighthood is set in the 7th Sea universe, approximately two hundred years before the common era. Gunpowder and firearms are not yet technologies in common use, and swordsmen still favor armor and the longsword over the lightning-fast fencing weapons that would come to dominate future combat.

Group Template

The selected group will consist of characters that best fit the theme and offer the most potential for intrigue and involvement in the dramatic setting. Not all characters are required to be knights participating in the tournament, but should have freedom of movement to enable the group to remain together without straining the credulity of the social system. (For example, it would be exceedingly difficult for a young noblewoman to run off from her family and handlers, but her chambermaid might be allowed to do so--if there's something in it for the noble!)

Character Creation

Standard 100HP buy, as modified by the House Rules below.

Application

Completed applications must contain:

• Name
• Gender
• Age
• Nationality
• Physical Description. Be detailed.
• Background Story, including how the hero came to be at the Festival des Vaillants. Playing the game of 20 questions from the Player's Guide is a great start, but I will give preference to prose.
• A brief (1-2 paragraph) writing sample that describes how your character would enter the grand pavilion as his/her name (or that of his/her lord/lady) is introduced by the majordomo to a smattering of polite applause from the assembled guests.

Sheets/proto-sheets are not required at the application stage. Focus on giving the character depth and interest, and the rest will follow naturally. If you do elect to work on skills, make note of the invitation closely; it would be unfortunate for a knight to lack the requisite abilities to compete in the tournament events, after all!

Houserules

The following rules are in effect as a result of the earlier epoch:

• Firearms and the associated skills/backgrounds/advantages/etc. are not available.
• Non-Eisen heroes may purchase armor. The armor rules in effect are from the Cathay supplement and are summarized in the game forum for convenience. Note that armor other than Dracheneisen carries encumbrance penalties. Armor (non-Dracheneisen) may also be purchased for cash within the context of the game.
• No more than half-blooded sorcerous heritage may be taken.

Addenda

None at this time.

Applications should be posted here. Questions regarding the setting, game, etc. should be posted in this advertisement thread.