Flickering candlelight, the clink of gleaming silverware on china plates, the low hum of contented conversation; after a week of fall festivities, there is a sense of satisfaction in the air. Families chat, friends catch up, and introductions and business deals are made. For once, the drama that seems to seep in to each society gathering has kept its distance, and everyone is simply celebrating being together. For a moment there is peace.
And then....all hell breaks loose.
Dinner is thrown into chaos as security teams grab their charges and hurry them to safety. World Leaders are rushed into private planes and emergency plans are executed. Everyone else is sequestered in one of seven holding rooms in small groups, and though no one knows exactly what’s going on, it doesn’t take long for rumors to begin. Someone has collapsed, whispers inform. Someone has died. Reports on who are conflicting - the Crown Prince of Spain, The Princess of Wales, someone at the head table, the Grand Archon himself. All that anyone knows for sure is that someone important has died, and that they are quarantined in rooms without any contact with anyone outside until further notice.
OOC:
Welcome to the second half of our spooky halloween event! You will all be receiving a link to an event-specific discord server - though the instructions are a bit wordy, it is important that you read them carefully in order to gain access to the next part of the event. The information that your characters know in-game can be found in graphics in their named channel; it is very important that characters don’t know anything they canonically wouldn’t!! If you aren’t sure about something, feel free to ask in the channel designated for questions!!
A simple flier, distributed to every member and initiate within the society’s ranks, is delivered with the mail one morning. It provides little information, save for a range of dates and the promise of a harvest moon meeting, but its mandatory command was not lost within the simplistic message.
For long-time members, the save-the-date comes neither as a surprise or a mystery. The Harvest Moon Festival, like the New Moon Ball in the spring, acted as one of the Society’s biannual mandatory meetings with nearly no exceptions granted by the Grand Archon.
For newer initiates, at least, those without a background understanding regarding the inner traditions of the Society, a single notice jumped out at them from the flier: Be mindful of one specific week in October and for the most important date, in particular, set aside for a mandatory meeting.
OOC INFORMATION:
Our October event will be coming up shortly! More information will be sent out, but it will start on October 12th:
IC DATES: October 12th-16th
OOC DATES: October 12th-24th
Like the New Moon Ball, the Harvest Moon will be a mix of mandatory and voluntary events in order to facilitate the schedules of the world’s best and brightest but attendance is highly encouraged, as this week traditionally is used to make connections and gain favor for members and initiates alike.
every member and initiate of the society receives a simple invitation in the mail; though not society sponsored, and therefore not mandatory, the benefit hosted by a newly made member serves to remind members and initiates alike that the society expects as much as it gives. the benefit is an open event, but the high number of society individuals expected in attendance, taking the opportunity to display their generosity, create an unofficial society reunion in new york city.
ooc; our next event will start on FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH, and run until SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH. this event is OPTIONAL, and takes place at the Metropolitan Art Museum, in New York City. if a character cannot or does not want to attend, they are given the opportunity to donate, though again, this is OPTIONAL.
if your muse is attending or donating, please fill out the form below and submit it to the main!
[NAME] will be [ATTENDING/DONATING] with a donation of [AMOUNT] dollars benefitting [COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS/PLANNED PARENTHOOD/GENERAL ASSISTANCE FUND]
As the Olympic Games come to a close, so do the parties and nights of revelry associated with them. Many plan to head back to their homelands, or stay Down Under for a longer vacation. But as they do so, even more continues to take place, filling each day of the Olympics to the brim with intrigue.
The whispers from Olympic Village become louder, and the doping results become public knowledge, with several athletes from Russia being disqualified yet again. The gymnastics team, in particular, is completely eliminated from competition, forfeiting seven Gold medals in the process. But not all are so lost as that.
Members and initiates alike are invited to a morning meeting of the Society to discuss changes to the hierarchy on FRIDAY JULY 24. Like the luncheon, this meeting is mandatory, save for those who did not attend the Olympic Games at all. At the meeting, several things are brought up by the Grand Archon, but what is shocking is his stripping of GALINA IVANOVA’S membership for failing to add to her own prestige and to that of the Society. One cannot simply join the most elite group of individuals and then expect to forever rest upon their laurels. The athlete, who also publicly tested positive for doping, falls to the rank of an initiate, with a probationary period during which she cannot participate in any Society events. Unheard of, this action causes whispers among members who suddenly wonder if they’ve been doing enough to truly bring influence and prestige to the Society itself. It also clear to those in attendance that the Grand Archon himself is the reason for the doping scandal coming out, though it is unclear exactly what Ivanova had been taking.
A mentoring system is also devised during this meeting. Though members are not given any tangible benefits to doing so, many are frightened of losing their own positions and so do not argue. Under this system, members may choose one initiate to mentor, though it is completely voluntary. There are, however, some stipulations:
Members may not choose an initiate to mentor that they are related to or that they are having a romantic/sexual relationship with
Members may only mentor one initiate at a time. Conversely, initiates may only have one mentor at a time.
Mentors and initiates must formalize the relationship to the society ( ooc: just send this into the main! )
Sports Medalists
Soccer/Football
Men’s: France (Gold), Brazil (Silver), Canada (Bronze)
Women’s: United States (Gold), Mexico (Silver), Germany (Bronze)
Tennis
Men’s Singles: Great Britain (Gold), Spain (Silver), Japan (Bronze)
Women’s Singles: Czech Republic (Gold), Germany (Silver), Puerto Rico (Bronze)
Men’s Doubles: Romania (Gold), United States (Silver), Brazil (Bronze)
Final Two Countries for Mixed Doubles: Italy (Gold), France (Silver), India (Bronze)
Rowing
Final Two Men’s Coxed Eights: Australia (Gold), Germany (Silver), The Netherlands (Bronze)
Final Two Men’s Coxless Fours: Australia (Gold), Great Britain (Silver), United States (Bronze)
Final Two Women’s Coxed Eights: Great Britain (Gold), United States (Silver), New Zealand (Bronze)
Women’s Coxless Pairs: Great Britain (Gold), Australia (Silver), Denmark (Bronze)
Women’s Single Sculls: United States (Gold -- Dominique Von Renesslaer), New Zealand (Silver), Greece (Bronze)
Rugby
Men’s: Great Britain (Gold), Japan (Silver), Fiji (Bronze)
Women’s: Australia (Gold), New Zealand (Silver), Canada (Bronze)
LOGISTICS
And here’s the wrap-up from the 2020 Melbourne Summer Olympics! Please feel free to continue writing Olympics threads through the end of the games (July 26). If you would like to list any mentor/mentee official relationship, please send that into the main!
We’d also like to take this time to announce a couple of changes (that will be reflected in the point store page). Group members may now accumulate up to 300 points per character and may also now purchase a single extra vote that cancels out one abstention for any initiate. This will cost 200 points total and though it does not have to be used the minute it is purchased, members may not store more than one at any given time. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns!
As those in Melbourne enjoy the Olympic Games, as well as the other luxuries afforded to them, they begin to become comfortable among those who are often, at best professional rivals, and at worst, complete enemies. They rub shoulders in the stands and share drinks with one another, but there are few connections made with outsiders and none have significantly increased the prestige they bring to the Society that has done so much for them.
It is easy to forget that being members of the Society does not entirely make them friends, and as the Grand Archon watches them socialize, it becomes clear that they have done little to better the Society as a whole. But nothing is said, even at the Society luncheon on JULY 21, which takes place at the Royal Botanic Gardens, where members and initiates alike share a plated meal before enjoying the flora and fauna only Melbourne can provide. It is a mandatory event, though those not in the country have been given an official excused absence from the Grand Archon himself.
But in Olympic Village, all is not so calm. Rumors of doping involving the Russian athletes (competing as the Olympic Athletes of Russia), especially the gymnastics team, abound. An official investigation is launched, with GALINA IVANOVA at the center, a Society member whose family ties to the Grand Archon have made her feel near invincible. Members and initiates whisper about it amongst themselves as they return to the spectacle that the Summer Games have provided.
Sports Semifinalists
Soccer/Football
The Final Two countries competing for Men’s are: France & Brazil
Final Two Female are: United States & Mexico
Tennis
Final Two Countries for Men’s Singles: Great Britain & Spain
Final Two Countries for Women’s Singles: Germany & Czech Republic
Final Two Countries for Men’s Doubles: Romania & United States
Final Two Countries for Women’s Doubles: Spain & Switzerland
Final Two Countries for Mixed Doubles: Italy & France
Rowing
Final Two Men’s Coxed Eights: Australia & Germany
Final Two Men’s Coxless Fours: Great Britain & Australia
Final Two Women’s Coxed Eights: United States & Great Britain
Final Two Women’s Coxless Pairs: Great Britain & Australia
Final Two Women’s Single Sculls: United States (Dominique Von Renesslaer) & New Zealand
Rugby
Final Two countries for Men’s competing are: Great Britain & Japan
Final Two Countries for Women’s competing are: Australia & New Zealand
LOGISTICS
We hope you’re enjoying this event so far! Other sports are competing still, of course, but for brevity we’ve just listed the semifinalists for the bigger ones mentioned (and have mostly left out individual competitions).
The wrap-up of the Olympics (including winners as well as details regarding the compulsory Society meeting) will be posted this next Wednesday, July 22. If you have any questions, please just ask in the discord server!
Finally, Dom was in her element. Competing on the world stage was where she thrived the most. She loved her day job, working at the bank with her parents was something she enjoyed but nothing brought her as much joy as competing. She had thought maybe this would be her last chance at the Olympics, that she wouldn’t return at 40 years of age for the next but after the opening ceremony she was ready and willing to work even harder to come back one more time.
She had brought with her her favourite black slit dress, wearing her team uniform in front of the grand archon just wouldn’t do and maybe just maybe by the end of the two weeks she’d have medals around her neck as a good accessory for it. She wasn’t usually fond of these dinners but this one...this one she could handle.
Dom moved through the crowd trying to find someone to speak with. It wouldn’t do standing alone in front of the grand archon, not when the Olympics were her stage. “It’s been a good night so far hasn’t it?” She said approaching someone with a smile. “Australia certainly knows how to put on a show.”
The premier world event, the summer Olympics take place this year in Melbourne, Australia, and as the crème de la crème that they are, members and initiates of the Society come down under to be seen and to foster connections -- both personal and professional -- that will enable them to continue moving forward in their spheres of influence.
Because so many of the Society come to the Olympics, it only makes sense for there to be several events, with an official Society meeting ending the two-week games, though before that can occur, there are several other opportunities for members and initiates alike to avail themselves of.
Accommodations are not provided by the Society for the two-week event, though there are several luxury and boutique options in the greater Melbourne area. Between hotels, AirBnBs, and family residences, Society members have little trouble finding an abundance of places to stay. Possible locations for accommodations and evening activities include:
Melbourne Central Business District
South Yarra/Prahran
Docklands
The River District
In addition to the plethora of afterparties, personal dinner parties, and sporting events that many attend, the Society hosts several soirees and networking events. The welcoming party, held after the opening ceremonies on JULY 12, is both cocktail party and formal dinner, with guests arriving to 524 Flinders dressed to the nines. This event is compulsory, though nothing stops initiates and members alike from sneaking off for better opportunities after they’ve been seen by those in power. For those who prefer more intellectual conversations, a room has been set aside to discuss politics and the arts while the dance floor is larger than usual to accommodate those who prefer it. It is meant to be a time of socialization, though there is an undercurrent of unease due to the ever-watching presence of the Grand Archon, whose eyes seem to peer through those confident enough to gaze upon him.
During the welcoming party, make sure to stop by the Gifting Suite, where gift bags have been created for all Society members and initiates ( to be delivered to each individual’s accommodations ). Some of the items given include:
A weeklong vacation, to be taken anytime in the next year, at Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island, valued at over $20,000. The vacation includes the ability to open any bottle of wine in the wine cellar with no restrictions for the duration of the stay.
Bath bombs with gold leaf and amethyst infusions
The newest iPhone ( in varying sizes, for personal preference )
A case of HFactor ( hydrogen-infused water )
MZ Serum and Night Cream, made from placenta and stem cells
A bottle of Penfolds Grange Shiraz, one of the most valuable bottles of wine produced in Australia
A bottle of CBD simple syrup for cocktails
A three-night stay for 6 at Faro Punto Cumplida in the Canary Islands, valued at over $45,000
Coda Crescendo THC-infused chocolate truffles
On JULY 15, several younger members of the Society rent out Mon Bijou for a more hedonistic experience than the formal dinner party. The penthouse event space includes a pool deck and security is at an all-time high so that even the most public figures are able to attend without worrying about what wagging tongues might say. Some might be photographed leaving in the early hours of the morning, but when compared to all the other celebrities and public figures in Melbourne, it seems worth the risk.
When it comes to the Olympics themselves, however, there is even more for attendees to enjoy. VIP areas are set up for most of the sports and paparazzi abound at the several venues set up for the different sports around the city. Media favorites cheer on their home countries as well as personal friends under the watchful gaze of cameras while drinking champagne in the warm sun.
Week One Sports and Results
The main events competing and their locations are as follows. At the end of Week One, the Final Four for each event are mentioned, save for individual events such as Swimming and Track:
Soccer/Football
Marvel Stadium in the Docklands
The Final Four countries competing for Men’s are: France, Russia, Brazil, Canada
Final Four countries competing for Women’s are: United States, France, Mexico, Germany
Tennis
Melbourne Park
Final Four Countries for Men’s Singles: Great Britain, Spain, Japan, Argentina
Final Four Countries for Women’s Singles: Germany, Puerto Rico, Czech Republic, United States
Final Four Countries for Men’s Doubles: Brazil, Romania, Spain, United States
Final Four Countries for Women’s Doubles: Switzerland, Russia, Czech Republic, Spain
Final Four Countries for Mixed Doubles: France, India, Czech Republic, Italy
Rowing
Melbourne Rowing Club
Final Four Men’s Coxed Eights: Great Britain, Netherlands, Germany, Australia
Final Four Men’s Coxless Fours: Great Britain, Australia, Italy, United States
Final Four Women’s Coxed Eights: United States, Great Britain, Romania, New Zealand
Final Four Women’s Coxless Pairs: Great Britain, France, New Zealand, Denmark
Rugby
Melbourne Park
Final Four countries for Men’s competing are: Great Britain, South Africa, Fiji, Japan
Final Four Countries for Women’s competing are: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, France
Track & Field
Olympic Park Stadium
Swimming
Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre
Equestrian
Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre
Gymnastics
Melbourne Arena
LOGISTICS
Please feel free to thread any of these events, as well as any others you might think of! Obviously we couldn’t mention every single sport, but the typical Olympic summer sports are still going on!
One more society event will be posted next Friday, July 17, and the wrap-up of the Olympics (including winners as well as details regarding the compulsory Society meeting) will be posted on the following Wednesday, July 22. If you have any questions, please just ask in the discord server!
The final tallies are close, but in the end, only one can come out on top. After deliberation and the culmination of the final interrogations, ELISE MORGAN rises from initiate to member. Congratulations are given before everyone departs, though as people begin to leave, an email circulates among members regarding the secrets that were spilled from those vying for the top.
The following are the secrets given ( ooc note: these are written as-is by the muns who submitted them ) and they are common knowledge to members only, though members are of course welcome to share if they so desire.
Garci had a stint of serious health problems, as a child and now that the Spanish crown covered up by making it look like he was just sheltered and private so that it didn’t look bad for the royal family’s legacy or his current medical career.
sofi shiloah arrested her own brothers for a series of arsons he committed xo
Astrid was complicit in a fire that started in her dormitory in Exeter.
HRH Edward, Prince of Wales, and The UK Prime Minister are in talks pertaining to the abolition of the British monarchy due to Edward’s desire to avoid inheriting the crown. At the least, he plans to abdicate his title in exchange for appearing alongside the Prime Minister so she accrues trust with the British Public despite her mediocre leadership. ✨
Juliette slept with a casting director for a upcoming casting project, and when he gave the project to madeline howard instead, she sabotaged her by giving her driver the wrong address to the photoshoot.
One of Leontine Morgan's most important antiviolence successes that the re-election campaign is hoping will secure her second term was done by Josefina instead, though they gave Leontine the credit.
milo- had a threesome with a director who is also his best friends dad and then an american actor.
wesley - turned down a big opportunity without telling anyone. reason being for selfish reasons
