The Bavaria Castle

Fireworks?!? What is that? Some new fangled thing I suppose. I just can't keep up with all these changes brought about by our blistering research pace.

*donsig checks out the Lookout Deck before leaving. He leaves a 200g tip and a note apologizing for not leaving a tip after the recent dinner party.*

About that wine. I would order some now, but various budget overruns during construction put me in debt. I'll talk to you some more about the wine later.

Let us not think of business now, though. A fascinating display, Sir Cyc! Are they Chinese?

And the timing could not be more excellent! My remodeling of the Augusta Palace is scheduled to be completed tomorrow. I'm not leaving the Vice Presidential Mansion, and may even get to go back to the South Doughnut Coast! I'm not really happy about that last part, but let us celebrate nonetheless!

Party on People, the night is young! The drinks are on the house!

*donsig stumbles up to the bar*

Did I hear someone say the drinks are on the house? Well, set 'em up!

Bartender, give that man anything he wants! Drinks, Meals, a room. Whatever! He has the key to the Castle tonight.

Happy New Year, Sir donsig. I hope you enjoyed the Fireworks!

Did you say free drinks?
Barkeep, A glass of your finest 3500BC Vintage whine.
Also: If any Penguins go missing, its not my fault

Welcome, Sir Stuck_As_a_Mac. Party to your heart's content. A Toast to the begining of our Nation! Fanatika!

Tallting up the income since the last deposit...

On donsig's tab -
Gunning1.....Strip Steak...50g
EA.....Beef Culotte...50g
donsig.....Rib eye and bottle of wine...95g

On donsig's tab -
donsig.....Cat Fries, Filet Mignon, 2 bottles of wine...145g
CicGeneral.....Prime Rib...50g
Gunning1.....Prime Rib...50g
Octavian X.....Rib Eye, 1 Beer...60g
Plexus...Buffalo Wings, 1 Looterzale, Porterhouse...68g

On Octavian X's tab -
Presidential Penquin Plate, 1 glass of wine...65g

On donsig's tab -
Grilled Chicken, 1 bottle of wine...65g
Tips...250g

Totals -
donsig...883g
Octavian X...65g
_______________
Total -
948g

948g X .8 = 758.4g
Total Deposit............758.4g

*Somber organ music plays*

With the passing of our beloved friend and great leader, Shaitan, lost at sea in the ice cold waters, we find ourselves lost and wandering in a time of mourning.....

*An Irish jig on a fiddle starts to play*

That's why the Palette is throwin' a Wake for Shaitan. With all due respect to the deceased, Rudy (the Castellan of The Marillion)
has declared Shaitan's passing. In the tradition of Vanir, the deceased will be represented at the Wake by an Urn holding an item dear to him. Rudy will also be reading of the last will and testament of Shaitan. There will be plenty of food and drink, free for all who attend the Wake. I am personally bringing in a case of Irish Whiskey (imported from the Brits).

So be sure to come by the Palette on Friday, January 17, and pay your respects in a manner that he would have wanted you to. Come to the Wake and help us celebrate his departure on a new journey.

The Wake will officially start around 0800 or 0900 GMT on Friday, January 17th. and run all day and on into the night, until everyone's had their fill and we've run out of toasts and jokes.

See ya there!

Cyc....

AM or PM??

Good point, Donovan. I'm using Military time so that's AM. 2000hrs would be 8PM, 2100hrs would be 9PM. So basically, that's 3am in EST. Midnight on the west coast. I'm opening up early for the Europeans and staying late for the US West coasters. It may run a full day or two. It's going to be a pretty relaxed affair, people wandering in and out all day. I'm not sure yet when the will is to be read. That will be posted later.

* Cyc extends a hand to Donovan Zoi and smiles. *
"Welcome my friend. Good to see you. Please come inside." Cyc then motions for the assistants to tend to the visitors needs. "I welcome your Lady, Jennae, and the rest of your family. Please, all of you, make yourselves at home." He escorts them to the main hall and then returns to the entrance.

There he sees the huge following that accompanied Prince Donovan Zoi. They are suprizingly quiet, some kneeling, most in prayer. Cyc calls to his messenger - "Mark, run to the kitchens and tell them to prepare 3 Cattle to roast in the large spits outside. We have company. And set up workers at the small wells to supply water." Cyc shakes his head quietly, "This is going to be some day..."

* Having most everything under control out front and seeing no one new approaching, Cyc heads back inside. *

The main hall is lit by more than 200 candles. Along one side are tables filled with food that will last most of the morning. The other side has tables of refreshing drink. In the center of the hall is the circular theatre stage. 3 shafts of sunlight from openings in the cathedral ceilings flood down on a table in the center of the stage. The table is prepared with a flowing white clothe, at its center is the Urn. Made of Royal Serpentine from the marble mines of Manitou, the beautifully crafted greenish Urn awaits its gift.

Cyc approaches Prince Donovan's party, solemnly "There is a feast to be had here today. Eat and drink as we mark this day in celebration of Lord Shaitan's departure to better days. We await Lord Padma, who should arrive soon, as he bears a special gift. We also await word from Rudy of the Marillion, as he is to read of the wiil of Shaitan. And we also await Sara, who is now at the Marillion, and will bring a special guest on her return..."

From the east, almost hidden by the rays of the rising sun, came a small party winding through the hills. In the center rode Padma, Prince of Lancre and Fal Morgan, and beside him, his wife, Jeanne. Also with them were members of their household, and a small contingent of Guards, for the ways between the cities were not always safe, and it was not yet known if the band of the Silver Hand were still about. But none had tried to waylay this group, perhaps because of the glint of mail from beneath the Guards cloaks, or perhaps because word of their travel, and its reason, had gone before them.

As the travelers came closer, watchers could also see sunlight glinting off the Prince's cheeks. For his tears flowed freely, and those of his household as well. For they had lost a man they called friend, and mentor, and would surely miss his presence in the days to come.

They arrived at Castle Bavaria, and dismounted, the Prince and his wife going up to greet Lord Cyc, wiping the tears from their eyes.

Padma: It is good to see you again, my friend. I have shed my tears of grief on the long ride from Padmativa, where I had to retrieve a certain item. He nodded meaningfully at a velvet-wrapped object he carried. But my grief is spent, and it is time to celebrate the life of our friend, Shaitan, and to remember the joy he brought to our lives.

Cyc: It is good to see you, too, Lord Padma, Lady Jeanne. Come, let us go inside, for the Wake is soon to begin.

Cyc and his assistants guide Padma's group into the Bavaria Castle, where the weary travelers are allowed to freshen up before they make their enterance. Cyc takes Padma and Jeanne into the main hall. The group is greeted by smiles and nods. All eyes are on Padma and Cyc as they walk towards the Urn, Lady Jeanne has been taken to the tables. The hall becomes silent. Padma holds out the velvet-wrapped object he's been carrying. "Lord Cyc, this dagger was brought to me straight from the hand of Shaitan. It has remained at my side since that time, and to me it represents, nay...embodies the spirit of the great Prince."

As Padma places the dagger in my hands, I am in awe. The fine craftsmanship, the perfect balance, the sparkling jewel. An item that truly represents the late Lord Shaitan. I breathe deeply and look at Padma, whose eyes are locked on mine.

"Lord Padma, Prince of Lancre and Fal Morgan, Statesman, Leader, and Knight of the Bridge...I am so glad you could attend today. I am deeply honored by your gift." Cyc bows slightly and returns the dagger to the velvet resting in Padma's hands. "And I would be even more honored if you were the one to present the dagger to the Wake and place it in the Urn."

Padma takes the dagger, touching it only with the velvet cloth in which it has been wrapped. He holds it so that it may be seen by all those assembled, and he speaks.

This is the dagger that Prince Shaitan used as a vouchsafe for a messenger to me from England. It is a twin to BärenReißzahn, his beautiful sword of state. He was clearly in great need, to part with such a treasure. I have kept it long in Padmativa, waiting for the owner to reclaim it, and have let no man's hand touch it.

Yet, such a man was Prince Shaitan, that he would part with such a treasure, even so to lay down his life, in defense of those things he held dear. He was the Prince of Vanir, the largest, strongest state within Fanatika. Yet he would put Fanatika's needs above those of Vanir.

He was a champion of justice, the living embodiment of the Laws of Chivalry. He was friend to all who walked the path of Truth and Right, and ever a vigilent foe of those who would take another path. This is what took him to England, chasing the evil that tried to destroy the fabric of Fanatika, and was now attempting to bring down the ruler of that land.

He succeeded in his quest, and secured the friendship of the English Queen, though he was felled at the end by base treachery. But I believe he died knowing he had done his best, for his land, and for his personal honor, and even now sits with the Spirits watching over us.

We were all priviledged to know this great man while he lived, and it is his challenge to us to live our lives as he did his. To give of ourselves to ensure the survival of our land, and more importantly, our ideals.

Padma turns, places the dagger into the Urn, and turns back to the assemblage.

I am sure Prince Shaitan is in a Better Place, and his spirit is here, with us, and watching us. His body is lost, so this dagger and Urn must stand in for him here. Now let us celebrate the life of this man, who touched us all so deeply.

* Cyc smiles and hands Padma a goblet of wine and raises his to make a toast. Padma in turn raises his... *

"Truth alone triumphs..."

Their goblets touch and a sip is taken. The first toast of many has been made.

Cyc faces the people that have graced the Wake with their attendance. "It is with inifinite sadness that I officially begin this procession, but the joy that sparks in my heart as I look out and see the friends and loved ones who have gathered here today, shall make this a moment I will never forget. Let the feast begin."

* Cyc grabs a crystal goblet and strikes it a few times with a silver spoon. *

"How can I find the words to bring to you what is in my heart about our beloved Shaitan!..." Cyc smiles at the gathering, "I wish the silver-tongued devil were today to say the proper words that are fleeing from me now. I feel that we must each so fill ourselves at this time with his spirit and wishes that it will carry us through the next few weeks. Through the years we all watched with wonder and ever-deepening devotion to him and appreciation of his God-given gifts. We watched as he was fiery in the defense of Fanatika, followed as he built his empire, king-like in the loftiness of his bearing, and listened to the authority with which he spoke. We all know of his character, how he would give relentlessly of himself and in variably encourage friends to advance in their own ways, at their own pace." Cyc reaches for his goblet of wine and holds it high. "Enough from me, I shall toast Shaitan again, in hopes there will be others that will raise a glass to the man and share their words about him with us, even if it is just a quick toast.....We cannot share this sorrow, if we haven't grieved a while. Nor can we feel another's joy, until we've learned to smile. Shaitan may the saddest day of your future be no worse than the happiest day of your past." Cyc takes a sip and returns to his table.

With that, messengers are sent through the crowd, informing the guests that Rudy of the Marillion will be reading the Will of Shaitan in approximately one hour.

* Cyc is telling stories of Tourneys held by the late Shaitan when he hears the Trumpets again. The Trumpets have sounded more times today than ever before. *

Lady Sara has arrived...and she has brought her guests. With her are two of Shaitan's daughters. The middle daughter Ruth, Contessa of Warwick, and the youngest daughter, Anja, Margress of Denver. Both had married foreign nobility, strengthening Shaitan's distant relationships. Lord Warwick was not with Ruth, as problems in England still persisted and required his presence. It was a beautiful entrance by the group. Their arrival meant that Rudy would not be long for his reading of the Will.

There was a conspicuous absence of the eldest daughter, Marie. The years had seen stressfull times between Shaitan and Marie. So much so that the two had become estranged and distant. Nothing was said of this, of course.