Tips/ideas wanted for running a royal ball/banquet situation

[NewJeffCT]

I am looking for some information on putting together a royal banquet type of event.

The players are getting up in level (7-8 range now, in a 3.5E campaign) and have saved a large town on the border of the kingdom from being overrun by the forces of the evil theocracy on their border. Plus, they solved the mystery of the Duke’s assassination and also rescued the Duke’s younger brother (now slated to be Duke) from certain doom.

Since the players had to then go to the capitol city of the kingdom, the rescued Duke-to-be gave them a message for the king, which included some glowing references about the heroics of the PCs. (It has been a bit of a dark campaign so far, so I wanted something for a bit of a change of pace, before it gets really dark…)

After delivering the message and hearing the PC’s story, the king was impressed and invited them to attend the royal banquet and/or ball the next night.

I had planned on the king making a public proclamation about the PCs’ heroism and have some NPC interaction planned, but want it to be a generally pleasant experience for the players. Of course, if the dwarf gets drunk and insults the queen or something, it won’t be quite so pleasant…

So, my questions are as follows:
1) Would the king make that type of proclamation, or would they possibly have a bard tell the tale in a story/song?
2) Other than servants or possible other honorees, I would assume that most attendees are members of the nobility. Is this correct?
3) Would the proclamation or bard’s tale come before the meal, or after, or between courses?
4) What other events would occur during a royal banquet type of event?
5) Anything else you can add?

 

[jinnetics]

There is an embassy ball you could raid in Eberron's adventure Whisper of the Vampire's Blade (IIRC), and the OGL module from Penumbra called The Last Dance.

 

[FalcWP]

Well, if the banquet was already slated and the PCs are being invited... what was the original purpose of the banquet? Was someone else to be honored, and, if so, are they going to feel slighted if they lose or have to share the limelight?

As far as who would make the proclamation - are they merely being acknowledged, or are they getting significant rewards? How important is the Duke to the King - a relative? A very minor noble? The more important the Duke, the more likely the King is to thank the PCs himself.'

Other than the PCs, servants and nobles, anyone of significant importance could be in attendance. Local merchants (the rich ones), other heroes, foreign emissaries, clergy, bards... and maybe a few oddballs, as well.

As far as things to do beyond eating and dancing... well, you've got a lot of powerful people who have just been told that the guests of honor are tough and don't mind working for the nobility. I'd expect a lot of job offers to be flying around. And probably not to the entire party - each noble likely has a particular type of person they're more apt to offer jobs to. The tough Marquess who has been in a dozen battles might seek out the warrior or barbarian, while the seductive Baroness goes to the handsome bard or sorcerer, and the leader of a knightly order speaks with the paladin. Over the course of the evening, the group might accumulate a number of conflicting job offers that they need to choose from... and be careful that they don't slight any of the powerful nobles while doing so.

Of course, if things get out of hand or the players don't get in to the whole banquet bit, it never hurts to have a fight or two in your back pocket - assassins, demons, whatever fits your game. Keep in mind that if you have characters that are of a more martial nature, they're at a severe disadvantage without armor and weapons. Be sure to have an idea as far as damage for improvised weapons they can find in the banquet hall...

Or, consider having a duel - if the players offend someone, or someone offends them. You could even turn it into a 'team duel' of sorts. Could be against knights of the realm, retainers of some noble, or another adventuring group.

 

[NewJeffCT]

Well, if the banquet was already slated and the PCs are being invited... what was the original purpose of the banquet? Was someone else to be honored, and, if so, are they going to feel slighted if they lose or have to share the limelight?

As far as who would make the proclamation - are they merely being acknowledged, or are they getting significant rewards? How important is the Duke to the King - a relative? A very minor noble? The more important the Duke, the more likely the King is to thank the PCs himself.'

Other than the PCs, servants and nobles, anyone of significant importance could be in attendance. Local merchants (the rich ones), other heroes, foreign emissaries, clergy, bards... and maybe a few oddballs, as well.
.

Thanks, a lot of good ideas!

 

[The_Warlock]

So, my questions are as follows:
1) Would the king make that type of proclamation, or would they possibly have a bard tell the tale in a story/song?
2) Other than servants or possible other honorees, I would assume that most attendees are members of the nobility. Is this correct?
3) Would the proclamation or bard’s tale come before the meal, or after, or between courses?
4) What other events would occur during a royal banquet type of event?
5) Anything else you can add?

1) Think about how the PCs are going to be introduced. Is there a mingling period before the King arrives, or must guests transit the ballroom to the King's seat and offer their greetings and loyalty, or does a major domo see that all guests are seated for a feast first, the King then enters greets all guests as a group, and then reserves special attention for afterward?

If the King is paranoid or wary of intrigue, the third is more likely, at which point a bardic rendition during dinner of various important guests may be the method, with more satirical productions pointing to those who are out of favor.

If the King is looking for allies and loyal citizens in the times ahead, the personal greeting might make more sense, at which point the seneschal may make a grand announcement of each guest as they approach the king, and the king can make any specific thanks or proclaim people (esp the PCs) as heroes, etc etc. As much for recognition as to throw off the established intrigues in the crowd by pointing to a new set of "players".


2) One would generally assume the nobility are the primary attendees. However, anyone with a extraordinary wealth, lands, or political pull could be considered: Leaders of Merchant Guilds; Diplomats from other countries or city-states; representatives of various churches - especially those of the King's preferred faith, or those who specifically oppose the enemy theocracy; and depending on how magic is treated, reknowned wizards.

3) See 1 above, depending on how the feast and ball are arranged. It's also possible to make sure the PCs are introduced first by announcement, but have the King call upon those to be honored later in the event. Personally, I'd have it occur early if you want to focus on interactions with NPCs early, later if you want to add some tension as the various entrenched nobles and politicos avoid the PCs while they try to discover WHO the PCs are before engaging them directly in converse.

4) Depends on the tenor of the kingdom - but various types of dancing; story telling, music or riddle competition; chases through a manicured hedge maze; and of course lots of private conversations, intrigue, and the like.

5) Having run a couple of similar events, the party will inevitably split up - keep everything moving - only deal with each player for a few minutes before moving on to the next. You'll definitely come back around, but it keep everybody involved.

5a) Spiteful gossip mongering, illicit trysts, very specific thefts of family heirlooms, asassinations (discrete & overt), espionage, duels of honor - all these and more.

EDIT: Lunch ninja'd - never go to lunch with a post half finished...

 

[jdrakeh]

Be certain to introduce the hockey mask killer when they least expect it!

Sorry. I spent all night watching Friday the 13th movies.

 

[FalcWP]

Another thought (admittedly, lifted from the Firefly episode Shindig)... The PCs are now respectable enough to get in to this ball. Other folks are not. Said other folks may desire the ear of someone at the ball, and approach the PCs to act as middlemen.

 

[NewJeffCT]

Be certain to introduce the hocky mask killer when they least expect it!

[size]Sorry. I spent all night watching Friday the 13th movies.[/size]

And, also the Spanish Inquisition! Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition.

Their chief weapon is surprise.

Surprise and fear.

Their chief weapons are surprise and fear...

 

[NewJeffCT]

or does a major domo see that all guests are seated for a feast first, the King then enters greets all guests as a group, and then reserves special attention for afterward?

thanks - lots of good ideas here.

BTW, we have one female PC in game (7th level, C/G nature goddess follower) - would a rakish young noble make a pass, or would that be beneath him since she is not a member of the nobility?

 

[FalcWP]

thanks - lots of good ideas here.

BTW, we have one female PC in game (7th level, C/G nature goddess follower) - would a rakish young noble make a pass, or would that be beneath him since she is not a member of the nobility?

All depends on a few things.

1) Obviously, attractiveness plays a part.
2) What the noble is looking for - a dance? Sex? Or an actual relationship? In the first case, its certainly acceptable - guest of honor and all that. In the second, and especially in the third, it depends on social customs in the kingdom.