Matriarch Follovya
We now come to the King's mother herself. By now, we are all aware of the grand old dame's proclivities and acid-tongued irreverence i am sure, so no matter what you do, DO NOT seat her within earshot of the "spineless, effeminate duke", "that no-good slut" the duchess, or the "bombastic baron blunder" (all her titles, not mine) and under any circumstance do not seat her next to the wine-spouting fountain. Having said that we must also make sure she is somehow front and center and able to receive the proper respect of all the guests. Good luck with her. We all know how much the young king--uhh--cherishes his senile mother.
What a great and practical way to introduce NPC's, offering hints of their personalities and natures. Thumbs up!
I have actually done this in a game! There was crime and a piece of evidence was based on who sat where at infamous dinner party 20 year prior. The PCs had to reassemble the guest list and then figure out the seating chart. Lke most logic problems, and I do like to put them in my games, it was very popular with some the players and others found the end result boring.
"Lord and Lady Brennan must sit together" really? Married couples must never sit together at fancy dinners ;)
Ambassador Finkvskyl
The alliance with his country means that the whaling and seal hunting interests stay in the black. It also means that rotten toothed long haired heathen lechers such as Finkvskyl have to be entertained at dinner parties. Finkvskyl would prefer to be surrounded by beautiful women, but most beautiful women would prefer drunken sailors to the likes of Finkvskyl. Putting him next to cabinet ministers leads to the dullest conversations about tariffs, and true men or women of birth would be offended to offer up their ear for half an evening. Best to put him next to military men, they are use to rough talk, and his uncouthness confirms their assumptions about his country.
The Widow McIntyre
It pains a soul to think of a fine young flower like the Baroness a widow at only three and twenty years. Here introduction to society made for one of the most exciting social seasons in the last decade, her physical charms, her poised manners, her literary wit and her graceful dancing excited the entire court. Every ball that season was an adventure with all the eligible Knights and Lords falling about for her favor. It was almost a scandal when her engagement to Baron McIntyre was announced. He was more than twice her age, he was twice married before with no children and all his wealth and lands were in northern cattle interests and island estates respectively. His passing must have been so hard on the young Baroness, because she now must manage all that land and wealth on her own with out any man to lean on. Best sit her next to some one kind.
The Priest Lenard
Lenard considers himself the utmost of moral righteousness, and as thus must not be placed near anyone who takes unkindly to religion. Lenard is struggling with his own attraction to women, so placing him next to an attractive woman is likely to cause a scene.
Old Man Henderson
Old Man Henderson, the uncle of the current King, has a wealth of stories to tell. Anyone seated next to him must be willing to endure an endless torrent of stories about his glory days.
I love this idea and will probably try to build on it when time isn't as pressing for me.
The Fool
The King's fool is likely to pass scathing commentary on all those seated around him. His bawdy jokes, rhymes and other entertaining diversions are likely to send those with snooty dispositions into a towering rage. The Fool delights in being seated near smart company, preferably those who he can banter with at will. The Fool will use his bardic immunity to pass judgement on all those nearby, so best place him near those who can handle his barbed jokes.
Prince Briar
Prince Briar annoys his father greatly, and must be seated at least half the table away from his father. Briar is sloppy, craven, and displays terrible table manners. Being the Prince, nobody but The Fool or the King sees fit to let him know of this. Briar would prefer to be seated next to attractive, loose women, although his family would disprove of such seating.
Honest John
A noble from a small holding, Honest John is renown as one of the most decent men in the kingdom. Being loyal, kind, and courteous, John is likely to take offense being seated next to someone anyone rude, unscrupulous, or unkind.
Silk
Those seated next to Silk have a maddening tendency for their valuables to disappear. Silk is a master of wit and guile, wanted in no less than four different nations for crimes ranging from theft to sleeping with the King's wife. Silk should not be seated next to the fool under any circumstances, lest they be allowed to brew trouble, the likes of which might cause wars. Silk's business transactions must also be watched carefully, as he loves discussing them over dinner.
The Ladies Adara & Adalia
The voluptuous twin sisters, Lady Adara and Lady Adalia, daughters of Count Adamount the II, pride of the Devonshire nobility, and envy of women. The twin sisters are beautiful and they love to show it by taking any dinner party as an opportunity to flirt and drive the gentlemen crazy. Wearing expensive, revealing, low-cut dresses and sporting a more than adequate figures, the Adamount twins always stoke the other noble ladies to anger and the noble lords to addoration. The twins prefer to sit across the table from each other (to see how well the other is doing) with a studly gentleman on either side. Be sure that they aren't placed next to a married gentleman or someone who will bore them too much with dull stories.
Duke Frothington
This no-nonsense duke hates dinner parties attending them only to quell the incessant pleas that he make himself more sociable. He is hum-drum and logical, hard-headed and proud. His duchy exports the highest quality silks and wool used across the kingdom. He would much rather talk business and make a few prosperous transactions than attend a dinner party. He hates having to listen to social gossip. He should be seated next to other wealthy and successful businessmen as he has known to leave unacceptably early if he feels he is wasting too much time.
Senias, the Mystic
Senias is a druidic shaman and leader of the tributary Norlands. Senias is a kind-hearted old man who is very easy to please. He doesn't ask for much, and he doesn't impose his beliefs that Mother nature is the supreme force of the Earth and should be worshipped as such. Senias never cares who he sits next to, but pious religious nobles are usually offended by his presence and prefer to be seated away from him. He usually smells strongly of herbs, so those with a sensitive nose might find his musk a little overpowering and should not be seated close to him.
When I read the title, I was instantly taken back to my old logic puzzles where you'd have to figure out the seating arrangement. When I openned the post, there it was. I'm glad this puzzle made it's way to Strolen's.
Thank you for taking the "forum" approach. I appreciate the opportunity to see the community contributions.
Revoting. I've spent too much time thinking about/working on this in my spare time to not give a 5/5.
This is actually pretty good :) I can imagine using it.
What I would improve is to replace the events when nothing happens. We want stuff to be interesting, to have stuff happen.
NPCs (Major) (Political)
Count Hobran, the Reaver
A minor noble from up north, Hobran has been invited because the king wishes to get on his good side. Anything to stop the raids! As such, despite his low station, it is important that Hobran be seated in a position of dignity. But don't put him close to anyone who would be offended by his relatively low rank!
Erasmus Clay
Ever since Clay was awarded his title last summer, His Majesty has had his eye on the young adventurer. He wants Clay seated next to one of his eligible female relatives, in the hope of binding the ambitious young man to the kingdom. Like Hobran, Clay shouldn't be seated near anyone who would object to the presence of the lower classes, and he probably shouldn't be seated near Hobran himself, either. The two have history. On the other hand, they might get along well in person.
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