The sun is fading and mist is rising. Fingers of fog climb from the river and wind their way up the streets - through Seatower and Bloomridge, from Eastway up to Heapside, until even the rooftops of the Manorborn are swallowed in gray. Streetlamps feebly flicker in the encroaching gloom.<br/><br/>In many cities across the Sword Coast, the streets would begin to empty. But this is Baldur’s Gate, a city that never sleeps. Lines of lights snake their way down Brambles street, as theatergoers bearing lanterns converge on the Eye of the Beholder. Up the stairs they go and into the splendor of the foyer, where they indulge in a glass of fine wine or a tumbler of spirits before adjourning to their seats.<br/><br/>The theater is nearly sold out; only a few velvet-lined seats stand empty. Lights dim, and the crowd falls silent. A spotlight appears on stage, and into it steps Wallen Baird, the master of ceremonies. He gives an opening monologue and introduces the first performer. The crowd roars its appreciation. Another act follows, and another, and another. It is time for the marquee act of the evening.<br/><br/>(https://i.imgur.com/0mwMFVu.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/0mwMFVu.jpg)<br/><br/>“Ladies and gentlemen,” Wallen says. “I regret to inform you that Luciana Belt will not be performing this evening.”<br/><br/>There are shocked gasps. Someone shouts, “I demand a refund!”<br/><br/>“I heard that, Lord Whitburn. As they say, the customer is always right. But I beseech you to stay, for you are about to witness something extraordinary."<br/><br/>"Refund!" Lord Whitburn demands.<br/><br/>"Lord Whitburn, allow me to make you a wager. Should you leave your seat and depart the premises at any time during the next series of performances, I will refund twice the amount you paid. But if you are still in your seat by their end, it will have cost you double for tonight."<br/><br/>"Agreed," Lord Whitburn says.<br/><br/>"Agreed," Wallen echoes. "Let the crowd be our witness. And now, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you - the debut performances of our newest rookies!" There are groans and cries of discontent. "Ladies and gentlemen!" Wallen shouts above the crowd. "On any other evening, I would concur with your dismay. But this is no ordinary evening. What you are about to witness are the fruits of the greatest auditions in the history of the Eye. In just the past few weeks have come to us performers of such caliber I could not wait any longer to introduce them to you, our distinguished audience. I know you will find them as remarkable as I have. Allow me to present to you - "<br/><br/><div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>Lukewarm applause greets you as you make your entrance onto the stage. The splendor of the Eye of the Beholder theatre is dizzying, perhaps even daunting. To stage left are the golden boxes of the High Court, each box gilded with a creature of legend: a basilisk, a phoenix, a sphinx, and more. To stage right are the boxes of the Shadow Court, painted black. While some seated there wear no disguise, most wear masks and are garbed all in black.<br/><br/>Above you is a ceiling mosaic that depicts the gods of the arts and inspiration: Deneir, with a quill and candle; Gond, fixing a piece of machinery; Lliira in colorful robes, dancing; Milil, strumming a harp; Oghma, perusing a scroll; Sune, examining her fiery tresses in a mirror; and Tymora, flipping a coin.<br/><br/>And at the center of it all, suspended from the ceiling, is a golden beholder chandelier. Its ten smaller eyes are outstretched, gleaming with light. Its central eye stares down at the stage, its fanged mouth leering. It is before the eye of this beholder that you will be seen, and watched, and judged.<br/><br/><hr/><br/><strong>DM Notes:</strong>It's time for your debut performance! Please follow the guidelines in the game information thread. Describe your act, roll the dice, and most importantly, have fun writing.<br/><br/><strong>Challenge:</strong>Keep Lord Whitburn in his seat! Requires three good performances (average score of 13 or higher) before two average performances.<br/><br/>(Challenges allow for your dice rolls, as a group, to influence the story. Think of them more as option 1/option 2 than success/fail.)<br/><br/><strong>Events</strong><br/><ul class="bbc_list"><li>The highest artistic score will result in an event, unless it does not fit due to Ons/Offs or another reason. In that case, it will go to the next highest artistic score.</li><li>High scores on both technical and artistic components might trigger an event.</li><li>Low scores on both technical and artistic components might trigger an event.</li></ul><br/>(Events are a way to give an individual PC their own story or quest. Generally speaking, a PC may have only one active event at a time.)<br/><br/><strong>Noteworthy NPCs</strong><br/><br/><ul class="bbc_list"><li>Henk Herrold, a critic for the Balduran Times, is present, apparently as a guest of the Caldwell family, for he is seated in their box in the High Court. He wears a magenta colored coat and trousers and an elegant top hat in the same lurid color. With him is Lucas Caldwell, the heir to the Caldwell merchant empire. His dark brown hair is neatly styled and he wears a fashionable black coat, ruffled white shirt, and black trousers.</li><li>Alana Silvershield is present in her family’s box in the High Court. She wears a simple, but elegant gown in dark blue velvet. With her are two female elves. One has long, fair hair with colorful ribbons woven into it, and her dress is the color of a fine red wine. The other has silver crescent moon ornaments in her dark hair, and beneath a long black mantle her gown seems to be woven of silver thread. </li><li>Andar Beech is seated in the orchestra level. The priest of Gond is in saffron colored robes and appears to be arguing with his neighbor.</li><li>Members of the following patriar families are in attendance:<br/>Caldwell, Eltan, Hlath, Irlentree, Oberon, Redlocks, Silvershield, Whitburn</li></ul>