Court of the Empress: An RPG Exercise

[mcroft]

A Game of Neel Krishnaswami's Court of the Empress. Rules are here.

Let us look upon the Empress's court.

It is a frosty winter's evening on the longest night of the year. The Empress Iphigenia has taken the court to her royal barge, locked in ice until the spring thaws. An orchestra performs quietly in the background and the court has been dancing, for her Imperial Majesty's pleasure, upon the surface of the frozen river. The courtiers can see each other's steamy breath and there are braziers of burning coals for heat and a bit of light. The full moon is low in the sky, behind the Empress's pedestal on her barge. A few honored servants are there with her, but most are a few steps down, on the surface of the wide, frozen river. Her Imperial Majesty is resplendent in a dazzling black gown with a stiff collar behind her. She carries the Scepter and there is a banner with the Imperial Seal behind her throne.

And now let us hear what may be said.

Comments

(frozen) Scamandius

[colomon.livejournal.com]

Of course, your Imperial Highness. While I would never deign to claim I fully understand what might win your Imperial Majesty's favor, I can explain my simple guesses on the subject.

It seems to me there would be two things foremost that your Imperial Majesty might be interested in from us: learning and entertainment.

Learning, I say, for even though your Imperial Majesty is more learned than any one of us -- nay, as I look around, surely more learned than the all of us together -- still, your Imperial Highness is not all-knowing. Surely each of us knows at least one thing your Imperial Majesty does not; things which, in their own small way, might make an already glorious reign shine a little brighter.

It takes the learning and wisdom of your Imperial Highness to send my people's sailors and fishers far to the east, to find the rich stock of fish briefly mentioned in an obscure ancient text. Yet your Imperial Majesty may not yet know of the remarkable medicinal properties our sailors have discovered from the oil of the fish's livers, the strange birds nesting on the rocky islands near the fishing grounds, nor even the newest songs the men use to while away their long, hard hours at sea.

Which is to say, entertainment, the other thing which we might provide. For while we can surely not compete with the talent of the assembled poets, bards, and musicians of your Imperial Majesty's court, we might perhaps be able to provide a bit of novelty. A choice new song from our far-flung regions, a thrilling new tale, or perhaps even a delicious fresh joke.

(frozen) Firdausi Re: Scamandius

[libskrat]

Were I to answer thoughtfully, I might surmise
that good Scamandius' guesses both
assume a third, to wit: a novel turn.
For what's the use of learning if there's no small corner left unlearnt before? nor is the finest jest or sweetest tale worth the telling, save it be a novelty.

Though I'm as much a laughingstock as he whose sally I poked fun at earlier, I will make bold to say my piece again, in hopes that, if its content does not please, the manner of its saying may seem new.

(frozen) Re: Firdausi Re: Scamandius

[mrsitouh.livejournal.com]

Alas that our purposes must now oppose! For here I find two who I would delight to spend days debating and discussing with, but whom I must consider as threats to myself and my order!

I might add one more thing that those gathered before the Empress may offer her, a varied perspective. For while your Majesty undoubtedly has knowledge far greater both in breadth and depth than that of your humble servants, even the wisest have acknowledged the value of having others, even those with a lesser understanding of the subject at hand, consider an issue. Perhaps by looking at the situation with fresh eyes, we may find some new facet, which in turn may amuse or assist the Empress, and thus gain her favor.

(frozen) Sallan Re: Firdausi Re: Scamandius

[sunday-courtier.livejournal.com]

Though our perspectives may indeed be varied, we are in accord in at least the one matter: we are, none of us, worthy of being in the presence of such might and glory as her Imperial Majesty. For what else may we be, to her, than a source of entertainment?

I, my most humble self, come here as the last scion of my house. Would that I could spend my days basking in the radiant glory of her Imperial Majesty, like a flower turning to face the sun, providing for her my humble forms of entertainment and, dare I hope, amusement. So I, Sallan of the Far Northern Reaches, do wipe a tear at the truth of my fellows words, and abase myself once more. I pray that we may, together, craft a gift of our meagre skills for her Imperial Majesty that, whilst still humbled before her Imperial Majesty's splendour and that of her court, is still a whole greater than the sum of its parts.

(frozen) Scamandius

[colomon.livejournal.com]

We have nothing to offer besides entertainment; but novelty, varied perspectives, and learning are all entertaining, are they not?

And good Benedict, do not despair. For as long as our debates and discussions do not descend into banal and petty sniping, then we may all hope to offer novel, varied perspectives, which we can hope will both entertain and perhaps even be useful for her Imperial Majesty.

(frozen) Re: Scamandius

[mrsitouh.livejournal.com]

Well said, dear Scamandius. Few, if any there be, among the varied callings here in this mortal fold can compare to the blessedness of the task set before us here. Let us pray that we are up to the task.