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) Firdausi

[libskrat]

Ah, mighty Empress, thanks and praise to you! What nobler service could I hope to do than this? My own life I hold forfeit now, but still in others' eyes I see some hope; and gladly will I further others' aims, since all we do serves our great Empire's needs.

I lend my voice to Benedict, for he has shown us honor, brightest ornament of nations. Honest courtiers are rare and to be prized, great Empress. Honor them as they deserve, and Empire shall not want for other virtues, nor for prizes rich and rare, for virtue brings them flocking near like birds to ripened grain. Choose Benedict, unequalled Queen; grant him his life, I pray.

(frozen) Roland Re: Firdausi

[(Anonymous)]

O Most Imperious One, it pains me not at all to argue for Benedict's death. He is to mine ear like those men who stand upon the street corner, shouting to the uncaring masses. He cares not that they do not listen to him; he is pleased most by the sound of his own voice. A wise man speaks only when he has something to say, and a true courtier cares not for his own glory, only for the desires of your august majesty. Benedict is neither of these. He thinks himself clever, yet he reveals no truth. He wishes honor for himself, yet he comes not humble before your glorious personage. His words are empty as the sounding of a gong and as meaningless as the braying of a donkey. He most certainly deserves death.

(frozen) Firdausi

[libskrat]

Methinks our Roland doth protest too much. Much sound and fury I detect in him, but little honor, sense, or care.

(frozen) Re: Firdausi

[ptevis.livejournal.com]

Yes, Firdausi, it is well known that I prattle on for hours with no point to my ramblings. How insightful of you to notice that loquaciousness is chief amongst my flaws. I shall endeavor to remedy that defect immediately.

Regardless of my lack of virtue, this ad hominem attack does nothing to vindicate the villain Benedict.

(frozen) Re: Firdausi

[mrsitouh.livejournal.com]

Your virtue, or lack of it, is a question which I cannot consider. However, if I must be condemned to death for these vices, I should like to know when I demonstrated them, that I might spend what time remains to me to purge them from myself, and thus make myself more fit to return to my Father's presence.

Pray tell me, Roland, when and how have I shown these faults?

(frozen) Firdausi

[libskrat]

I wonder more that Roland thinks our Queen accepts rank villains in her glorious train...

(frozen) Roland

[ptevis.livejournal.com]

The better to save her adoring masses from such charlatans. She is clearly too wise and clever to duped by them.

Now Benedict, I believe this breach in your virtue is obvious to all now assembled, but as you ask me to recount it, I shall do so. One need only recall your barbed remarks toward noble Fyodor, or your circuitous "explanation" of the ethics of court to see your vanity in its full glory. It is clear you are a base flatterer, concerned most not with our glorious Empress but with yourself.

(frozen) Re: Roland

[mrsitouh.livejournal.com]

While I agree my logic was somewhat drawn-out during our discussion of ethics, I fail to see how that is a demonstration of vanity. The nuances of this issue are varied and many, and I feel any attempts to simplify further would be an insult to the intelligence of those listening. Would you deny that we are here at her Royal Majesty's sufferance? Or that the purpose for her sufferance is to provide her pleasure?

As for my comments with regards to Fyodor, I allowed my temper to overwhelm my sense, an error which I am neither the first or last to commit, and for which I have offered, and do again offer, my humblest apologies.

Also, be I vain flatterer or not, at the very least I have offered what wisdom I have to further the discussion of the questions her Imperial Majesty has posed to us. Can you claim to have done the same?

(frozen) Roland

[ptevis.livejournal.com]

My own lack of virtue is not at issue here, nor do my faults vindicate your own. Again you seek to muddy the waters of discussion. I have done as our Empress has requested, and where I have had nothing to add, I have remained silent. Would that all had such discretion.

(frozen) Re: Roland

[mrsitouh.livejournal.com]

I agree, and I feel I have done the same. I place my appeal in the hands of the Empress - slay me or spare me as you see fit, for I have done all within my power to please you, and if it is not enough, then best to die a quick, honorable death.

(frozen) Firdausi Re: Fyodor

[libskrat]

My friend, the wine is over there. Drink up! Recall, however, Benedict's address; suspect my motives, act with all due care. Imperial slaves of favor such as I would never warn so usefully had not our Benedict discoursed on ethics, no?