conversations.from: system
conversations.value: The soft, sweeping flow of violins and cellos floated through the air while the noblemen and women moved about the court. They chit chatted, gossiped, and engorged on lavish roasted fowl, fresh vegetables, and most importantly, warm bread.
  
  The hall itself, picturesque: marble floors and columns; intricate stained glass windows; wrapped in velvet. At the end sat the White Throne, a seat held by few, currently owned and occupied by King Vauclain. Under his rule, Avignon's elite flourish.
  
  "This is lovely! What craftsmanship!" Vauclain exclaimed while examining the gilded hilt of a ceremonial blade. "The engraving is wonderful as well." With squinted eyes, "'For only *we*, the *chosen.*'" The Duke of Durant, presenter of the blade, bowed in appreciation. 
  
  With hustled footsteps, a page entered the court from the servants' quarters and hurried to the King's side. He took a knee and whispered into his ear.
  
  "One moment Duke..." Vauclain leaned over to listen.
  
  Without losing his grace, he stood up. "If you'll excuse me, the throne's work is never done!" The king then left the court for his small room. 
  
  In the room, the King's economic advisor hesitantly waited.
  
  "What is it, DuPont? What calls for my urgency?"
  
  "It's the people, sire! They're at the gates!"
  
  The King walked to the window and peaked outside. Angry citizens banged on the prong-tipped metal gates as guards and soldiers held them at bay. 
  
  Vauclain, however, shrugged this off. "Send them away. I will not have them scare my guests."
  
  "We're doing the best we can, but-"
  
  "**Remove them**...I will not order you again."
  
  The King entered the courtroom once more with a smile as the last time. He walked back to the throne. "Duke! Where were we?" The conversation continued. 
  
  ===
  
  *The Black Court* focuses on the royal court of Avignon, a monarchy ruled tightly by King Vauclain, on the edge of revolution. 
  
  In the story, you'll be a noble member of the court. You can either be a regular in the region or a foreign dignitary. Dukes, duchesses, generals, knights, clerics, lower level advisers and higher classed people of society are all welcome, but lower level people are not. 
  
  *The Black Court* is low fantasy, so magic and wizards are only the things of rumors and storybooks, although sleight of hand and alchemy (combustibles, such as gunpowder) are around and used by some. I plan to do more politics than fighting, if that's your thing. Also, as you may have guessed, Avignon and much of the culture is *loosely* based on French culture in the 1700's. 
  
  I'm looking for 3-4 players--quality writing comes first over being quickest to apply, so take your time submitting. Feel free to make your own cards, as long as they stay within the context. I'm not a big fan of first person writing, so please stick to third person. Also, I like to read writing samples over character descriptions but won't turn you away for submitting a description if that's your thing.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Ciel Palace: Ballroom: The opulent ballroom within the Ciel Palace. Gold trimmings adorn the walls and intricacies with detailed paintings of cherubs on the ceiling. Several crystal chandeliers draw the room together. 
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Knight: While the "higher ups" haven't had much to deal with, the knights of the court have been training daily. The lower guards seek their guidance while people riot in the street for food.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: General: During King Vauclain's reign, war has never been a concern, albeit small skirmish in the distant countryside do crop up. *Peace*, or at least the illusion of it, has been a relative constant. 
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Lower Level Advisor: You work under one of the King's chief advisors. Your background as a scholar can come in handy when dealing with archaic text or draconian court rituals.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Honorable: You uphold dignity for all things and tend to recieve that respect back. 
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Diplomatic: A silver tongue can open many doors. Wit is sometimes mightier than the blade. 
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Beauty and Handsome Looks: A beautiful smile can change minds, as simple as that sounds. 
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Knowledgible : A studious background means your brain is perfect for problem solving. 
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Charismatic: Your personality draws people to your cause without much effort.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Glib: While you may be a talker, your words are as empty as can be. 
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Greedy: Wanting only money can mean pushing other important things aside.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Ugly: Your mother loves your looks, and that's all the matters.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Incompetent: With clear orders, you're fantastic, but without them, forget it. 
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Become the Ruler: You seek dominion over others and won't stop till its your's.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Enjoy Yourself: Sometimes all you want to do is have a good time. 
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Physically Unskilled: Lifting and moving things isn't part of your lifestyle.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Viceroy: As an appointed official of the King, you enact his rule across your minor lands without question. Your loyalty with the crown is strong, but you spend most of your time in the countryside, not the court.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Cleric : As a person of the cloth, you've seen the plight of the people during weekly prayer. But, you've also seen the donations from the court make your life relatively peaceful. Therefore, it's been easy to see both sides.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Foreign Dignitary: As a foreigner, you came to Avignon as a voice for your ruler. You come from an allied nation, but one with a different culture. While you may not agree with the King, you come from your own monarchy with its own inequities. 
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Duke/Duchess : As a noble land owner, you've gained tremendously under King Vauclain. Thanks to his rule, and your lineage, your wealth has been secure and even grown.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: High Member: You occupy some position of power, whether that's head of living quarters, the master of the hunt, the royal fool, a herald, a pursuivant or even a page. No matter what, you still come from wealth and respect the throne. 
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Seasoned Physique : Thanks to your training, you can overcome nearly any physical challenge. 
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Multi-cultural: As a traveler, you know of many lands outside of Avignon and therefore can pleasantly interact with people from different walks of life. 
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Loyal: Your loyalty never wanes, and likewise, your friends always stick by your side in times of need. 
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Tactical: Whether it's moving troops or shipments of bread, your mind knows the optimal strategy. 
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Famous: Your name draws respect from many people, nobles and commoners, usially for the better. 
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Wealthy: Money talks, walks, and can run the world. Even the purest of hearts needs to eat. 
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Holy: Your relationship with the Creator means people treat you differently. Even if someone isn't religious, why take a bet against the Creator?
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Stuck Up: Commoners are commoners. We all have a place for a reason.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Naive: Your youth shows in your opinions. The world is much more complicated than you think.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Tactless: Your mouth is better kept shut, since your foot tends to end up in it.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Cold: Your frigid personality turns people off quickly. 
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Save the Church: The name of the church has come under fire due to claims of bribery. That must change.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Not Smart: Numbers and letters were never your thing, so difficult concepts go over your head. 
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Protect Your Own: Your life is more than you, whether that's your family, friends, or people of duchy. Ultimately, you want those you care about protected. 
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Imfamous: The people that know you rather not. Your reputation precedes you in the worst ways.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: A Desire for Wealth: Thanks to King Vauclain, money flows like water, and you've got buckets to fill.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Untrustworthy: Your opportunistic nature is known, so people rarely align with you. 
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Defend the Crown: While many may not agree with King Vauclain, you do, and you swear to protect His name. 
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Hall of Fame: You want your name to be known far and wide.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Be the Best: You don't concern yourself with rankings besides being better than yesterday.  
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Greet the King: The renowned King Vauclain sits at his table with a healthy glass of Cabernet Avignon and a fowl to himself. He's enjoying the evening and loves to chat with guests. HIs ear is open to whomever before he leaves for bed. 
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Avignon's Delicacy: There's more than enough wine and food to go around.  Why not enjoy it?
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The Dancefloor: The dance floor is currently alive and well. 
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The Royal Marriage Bed: The awkward couple sits near the throne with throngs of guests meeting them.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Ciel Palace: At Night: Ciel Palace never sleeps, like its residents. Something is always happening. 
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: King Edgar Vauclain: King Edgar Vauclain rules over Avignon with a swift hand and open pockets for his Court and palace. 
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Whispers in the Library: The library is often quiet at this hour, but tonight, two late night readers are discussing some peculiar subjects. 
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Secret Passage: For safe passage and secret spying, Ciel Palace is covered in hidden walkways and peepholes. 
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Dark Bushes: Something's out there in the night. What could it be?
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Turn the Crowd: Jacqueline's new friend came at the cost of her reputation. Like the blowing wind, the court's opinion is easily swayed. 
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Victeo: Warn the King: The King's spending might be a little out of control. 
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Music of the Times: The lovely music in the air is inspiring and attracts the great minds of the time. 
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Alfredo: Fireworks : The complicated festivities needed a careful hand if nothing were to go wrong. 
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Jacqueline, Rafel, Alfredo: Fingerprint: Mark your fingerprint in the record of the wedding. 
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Spreading Rumor: As always, the court is alive with rumors, but this one could be important...and worse, true.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Ruthless: Despite any moral or personal reservations you may feel, your ambitions will always win out.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Know Everything: You have a thirst for knowledge. Thankfully, members of the court certainly know how to dispense gossip.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Smite the Wicked: *And he shall smite the wicked and plunge them into the fiery pit!*
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Second Son: While your older brother learns land management, you've been sent to court to sit still and not cause trouble.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Crafty: You're a seasoned political operator.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Decadent: You're a perfect example of the excess the people are rebelling against.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Find a Place: For now you're a parasite on the wealth and powers of others.  Get something that's truly yours.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Royal Arcanist: You provide arcane and alchemical advice to the King. You have studied the arcane lore, and alchemical recipes (as well as some convieniant sleight of hand). 
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Charismatic: Your personality draws people to your cause without much effort. Your charm lends credit to your words, wether they are true or false.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Duke/Duchess : As a noble land owner, you've gained tremendously under King Vauclain. Thanks to his rule, and your lineage, your wealth has been secure and even grown.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Honorable: A former soldier, you uphold dignity for all things and tend to receive that respect back. 
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Cold: Your frigid personality turns people off quickly.  Though you are polite and have the graceful manners ingrained into one of your rank, there are very few people you genuinely respect, and it shows.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Protect Your Own: Your life is more than you, whether that's your family, friends, comrades in arms, or the people of your duchy. Ultimately, you want those you care about protected. 
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Dilettante: You are welcomed in the highest circles by virtue of your worldly wit.  You have gained, lost, done, and seen more than most people ever will, and it is those qualities that make you a desirable companion for card games and intrigues. 
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Jack of All Trades: You pick things up easily but get bored quickly.  You have therefore acquired a great breadth of knowledge and skill at everything from classical music to alchemy, but lack any specific expertise.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Impulsive: You always seem to be stealing the wrong kiss, interfering in the wrong argument, or listening at the wrong window.  Only when it is all over to you realize just how bad an idea that was.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Alchemy: It may not be magic, but proper alchemy at the right time acompanied by the right words is pretty convincing.