(1806) Summer Solstice

[Rhodes]

In between the tempests of words, Rhodes stood, emotionless and calculating. Lucifer's triade against Ingrid had shaken him as well, though he would not let it show. The Flowering nimbly sidesteps the storm of dishes and cutlery.

"She is not Queen, as I understand," he says to Ingrid, before turning upon Lucifer. His delivery is like a silken knife through the raging beauties across the table, his words smooth, demonstrating sincerity.

"If you are as stong in our Court as you claim, I cannot see it. Though Light-bringer in name, your mantle shows only dim embers - even now I see those pretty lights flicker in the winds of mine own. I know of the Hedge, just as you, but I know of the monsters and living nightmares that walk this world. I know of contracts from all our kith and ken, I am skilled in the words of pledges and how our Keepers think and Act. I have held the titles pertaining to such - the Ashern Notary, the Witch of the Bitter winds. You say you would be the Dread Queen? But I see nothing of Autumn from you, save howling wind. Nothing that would make you worthy of that title." Rhodes stands tall, the immovable force between the unstoppable objects, his Hedgesun coat giving a truly Autumn appearence. He was falling on the weapons he was forced to forge by his Keeper - denial through deceit and misdirection. Powerful lies wrapped in undeniable truths. He held no titles. Lucifer clearly did have command of Fear - even if she did use it like a club - but to conceal one's true feeling to stand against someone and take away their control? I have done that for years...

8 successes!

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2018-07-25 06:05:19		Rhodes rolls 17 to wield lies and misdirection! Manipulation + Subterfuge + spec + Hedgespun + Autumn 2 + Glamour 2 + Willpower (9 Again, WillPower)		7, 2, 9, 6, 10, 4, 2, 2, 9, 9, 8, 10, 7, 7, 10, 7, 5, 6, 4, 8, 7, 5, 2		8 successes

Intent: To demonstrate importance of superior Mantle to win the keys! A true Lord of Autumn.

NOTE: +1 for Hedgespun items booting appearence
NOTE: +2 dice for Autumn Mantle
NOTE: +2 from Glamour (Fairest)
NOTE: 9-again from Flowering

Rhodes' Dominance = 14 (6 + 8)
Guile = 3
Nerve = 2

[Saber Sloth]

Rhodes and Lucifer tie. Lucifer wins due to her Dominated Modifier. Which is one higher then Rhodes'
Round Winner Lucifer. Ingrid and Rhodes' Nerve is reduced to 0, both fall to Lucifer's Intent 'Terrify them into giving her the key! A rule by fear!'

Social Combat is over!



I will keep the Solstice open for the rest of the month, then onto Statuses!

[Lucifer]

So...

The Queen of Spring would be her enemy...

How many more would there be? How many more lining up to thwart her desire?

Cold sweat trickled down Lucifer's spine, but she held her posture straight, extending a hand, palm up, to receive the keys.

So, social combat is not mind control, so if there's literally no way that Ingrid would hand the keys over, coo. But Lucifer won! So! Please don't forget when it comes time for Status, everyone!

[Ingrid]

Ingrid leaves, shaking.

With rage.

With fear.

In the confusion, she looses track of where the keys went. They were, in fact, gleaming, on the table amid the destruction the Vernal Sovereign had wrought. In easy reach of the Ashen Courtiers.

Behind her she leaves the poisoned Coronation festival and her new enemy.

I figure the keys will end up in Lucifer's possession - that was her Intent after all and she won the Social Combat, which about social engineering as much as it is wordplay.

Ingrid will exit the scene.

[Lucifer]

Struggling to keep her composure, Lucifer reached out for the forgotten keys, her hand slowly extending towards the glistening metal, then snatched them up so that no one would see her hand shaking. Her prize now in hand, her back straight, her expression regal, Lucifer turned and began to walk across the Amusement park to where Edna's lay...

Lucifer is moving to exit the scene, unless stopped, etc

[Rhodes]

Rhodes watches as Lucifer reaches out and takes the keys. The "trifle" Queen Ingrid mentioned. Meeting her again would be important, since Lucifer held them now. Was she... shaking? Turning her fear outwards on others? It was very common in Autumn, but her performance had been venomous. Her social skills certainly challenged his own. His gaze follows Lucifer as she marches out, concealing her nerves beneath an immaculate decorum.

A political dance, already? No Monarch, an open space... a resurgent Court? Oh yes.... I think I might like it here.

Rhodes elegantly collects a plate and a few of the sandwiches that stayed on the platters. Smoothly he makes his was to the side, casually watching the remaining changelings and circulating among the gathering.

[Rhodes]

Rhodes moves over towards here.

[Saber Sloth]

Anger! Rage!

Summer rises with words thrown as spears!

Bodies worn and souls wounded, this was a bloody bloodless battle, and like those wounds those who have given them, and those who had received will remember them for days and nights, perhaps Seasons to comes....

All new arrivals that participated in the Solstice can up their Freehold Status to 1!