AS FIRES RAGE, THE ECHELON ESCAPES
As Ostara, the Spring Equinox, approaches, Wizarding Britain is far from peaceful. Death Eater attacks have increased since Yule and a skirmish in Diagon Alley with Albus Dumbledore’s Order of the Phoenix resulted in much disarray; many shops were destroyed and dozens are missing, presumed dead. For over a fortnight afterward, Wizarding Britain remains in shock, even the silver-tongued elite who do their best to ignore the violence wrought outside of their halls.
And then come the owls, each offering a heavy envelope before they wait for replies, nearly as haughty and proud as their sender.
The invitations arrive to each location at precisely the same time, cream-colored linen edged in gold leaf, the words embossed with great flourish.
It is not the invitations that are a surprise, however, so much as who they are from.
A one-time follower of Grindelwald and a founding member of the Knights of Walpurgis, the stories of HAMILTON FLINT’S disappearance have long been fabled. Though he could hardly match Araminta Burke in party planning, his events had historically been rather exclusive and the stories of those he held after his Hogwarts graduation are etched into the memories of the echelon privileged enough to hear them. [ It was Hamilton Flint’s parties that allowed the younger Tom Riddle to gain the pureblood ear, to espouse his future aims for a magical Britain with little interference from dirty muggles. ] Many still talk today of the grand fête he threw in Britain after Grindelwald’s key battle victory in 1944. As Voldemort gained prominence, however, and Tom Riddle’s idealistic aims fell by the wayside, Hamilton became a recluse. He ventured to his family’s Swedish estate in 1955 and has not been seen in Britain since. Rumors have abounded that he is heavily involved in Scandinavian pureblood society, but the rumors have always remained just that. On occasion, some friends will tell tales of the Yule celebrations in Lappland, or of Beltane at the summer home in France, but these stories become fewer and far between until they are nearly as mythic and legendary as the parties themselves.
This is the first time any of this generation have been invited to a Flint party and if any are curious about why they have been invited, they are smart enough not to vocalize that. [ For more about Hamilton Flint and his eccentricities, please read here. ]
All have been invited to a two-week long respite at HAMILTON FLINT’S 400-room estate just outside of KIRUNA, LAPPLAND, SWEDEN. It is near the end of the season for the Aurora Borealis and the snow still has the sparkle to it that was lost long ago in London.
Those invited are well aware of the grandeur and the exclusivity of the event; in addition to those invited from Britain, those from prominent families in Europe, as well as some from America, are invited. Some choose to attend in hopes of riding out the storm in Britain while outside of it. Even others choose to come to make new alliances, both in Britain and on the continent, well aware that the pureblood elite will be unable to ignore the infernos that rage outside their walls. Regardless, anyone invited knows well the harm that could come from refusing such a prestigious invitation.
All RSVP cards are sent back in the affirmative.
On March 17, 1979, the guests arrive by floo, apparition, train, broom, and some even by opulent carriages pulled by winged Abraxan and Aethonan horses. The view is much the same for all, the glittering snow so pristine it is nearly blinding, evergreen trees covered in snow that stand taller than most manors, the castle with its many wings lit up with torches in every window. Crystal ice sculptures abound in the winter gardens and icicles hang from window sills, charmed never to break. Upon their arrival, guests are shown to their suites, every want or need already having been catered to.
They are given freedom to enjoy any part of the estate they wish and the estate is vast indeed. The hallways are myriad, difficult to remember, and take guests to parlors for tea, drawing rooms for cocktails, and heated balconies filled with fairy lights that overlook the greatest peaks of the Swedish mountains. A courtyard has been enclosed and formed into a winter garden, with amaryllis and hellebore blooming against the stone grey of the manor. There is room for privacy, too, with studies and libraries in each wing.
After the first night of their stay, guests begin to whisper amongst themselves, telling stories of what is hidden behind the doors of the grand manor. Tales begin to spread of parlors filled with musicians, of a hidden maze in an ever-changing drawing room filled with magical creatures, and of libraries that reveal every book ever written, even those thought lost.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Each guest is given a suite of rooms, as well as a personal house elf, to attend to their every whim while on the estate. Every suite has a heated balcony with a view, with some overlooking the outdoor winter gardens and others overlooking the snowy terrain of Lappland.
For those who still need to work, private floos and apparition points have been set up at various points around the estate. Their host has already received the requisite permissions for international travel.
DAILY SCHEDULE
8 a.m.-10 a.m.: Breakfast at various locations (drawing room, parlor, etc.) Noon-2 p.m.: Lunch on the heated, enclosed veranda overlooking the winter gardens 7:30-11 p.m.: Dinner in the formal dining room; guests are expected to dress for the occasion
Cocktails, canapés, and tea are served in the green drawing room and the silver parlor after 3:30 p.m. The kitchens are open around the clock, for those who miss a meal or prefer to take some time to themselves.
In the interim, the guests are free to roam the estate, meet up with other guests, and learn more about their fabled host who is always present with a glass of single-malt whiskey and a story to share.
MINI EVENTS
OSTARA CELEBRATION: MARCH 21 AURORA BOREALIS VIEWING: MARCH 27 FAREWELL BALL: MARCH 31
LOGISTICS
And with that, THE SACRED is officially open! Feel free to plot amongst yourselves and post threads and starters, making sure to tag using thesacredrp:starter as well as thesacredrp:event001.
The mini-events will have their own drops, so for the time being, please do not roleplay past MARCH 20, 1979 in game time. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to message the main or ping me on discord!