The Summer Grand Iris Gala
∵This is an expanded description of an in-game event! Please feel free to interact with these hooks during the Court of Eternity’s Summer Grand Iris Gala or write a short story to share with us afterward!∵
As dusk descends on the shoreline of Eversong Woods, the winding path down toward Brightwing Estate welcomes you to the second annual Summer Grand Iris Gala- this year, a two-night extravaganza to celebrate the coming together of elvenkind and the dedication of the Dawnwell.
After checking in any weapons with security- as this evening is about peace, not war- the cobblestone path continues downward, toward a pavilion brought to life by master artisans from The Meadowrun Conservatory of the Arts. From portraits and landscapes to metalwork and instruments, the craftsmanship of elven hands is on full display. (All pieces have been specially enchanted to prohibit touching- a feast for your eyes only!)
As the road leads you on, the wide meadow that serves as the evening’s dance floor welcomes you with open arms, green grasses, and wildflowers. On floating votives and tables alike, custom flower arrangements created by Flowerhouse can be seen. A beautiful and expertly-crafted combination of starlight roses, argentleaf, wildvine, sanguithorn blooms, purple lotus, and voidtouched tranquility blooms create a feast for the senses, representing each of the elven peoples through unique flora.
Decorating the charity auction area, artist pavilion, and the tables for the Feast of Night and Day are larger table-side arrangements. The same combination of flowers are present, with additional decorative greenery, draping over the sides of their vessels like a willow’s boughs.
In the center of the dancefloor is the crescent dais, wherein the Feast of Night and Day has been brought back after its debut at the Winter Grand Iris Gala. Curated from across elven cultures, a variety of finger-foods and drinks are elegantly placed across trays, encouraging and beckoning you to sample the cuisines of elvenkind.
Set in a wide arc at the far edges of the dancefloor are six pillars, each set up to accommodate a vendor and their wares. Hanging floral arrangements decorate the pillars, and floating lanterns nearby ensure each vendor is never without enough light by which to do business. Each vendor also carries the complementary enchanted paper lanterns for the Saturday night lantern launch at evening’s end.
At the far end of the dancefloor is the auction pavilion, where four generously-filled baskets await auction to benefit the Azeroth Children’s Society. One basket features a selection of wines, wine and whiskey glasses, and other items for a romantic date night; another is brimming with art supplies and vouchers for studio time and portraiture; a third overflows with delightfully-scented self-care lotions, teas, and other goodies to pamper oneself; the final basket is full of sweet treats, chocolates, and other decadent items.
Finally, the shoreline itself has been decorated with the same attention and care- floating lanterns amid hovering floral arrangements, and an impromptu stage to showcase the talents of those performing Friday and Saturday night.