HotBlooded: Rali Steele, in the Shadow of the Elk

During the Knights Winter Weekend the Knights traditionally have a LARP. This time the LARP was organized by Daniel Dover, who spent waaay too much time on it. But the result was awesome.

As I blogged before, I played Rali Steele, the scion of Fyx Steele. Despite my best intentions, to play him as this well intentioned idiot, I somehow ended up becoming the unlikely villain. Really, how did this kid become someone at least several characters wanted to murder? This is a story of intrigue, murder, betrayal and a crazed opera writer…

Fyx Steele, Archduke of the Elk; Rali’s father, was dead. The screams of his sister Jorja Steele (played by Rianne Penterman), were still ringing in Rali’s ears as he found the body. A dagger; plummeted in his chest. Rali saw his life shatter before his eyes, there would be no more drinking, no more laughing, no more pleasant company of women. During his childhood, Fyx Steele took care of everything for Rali. With no real responsibilities he was capable of gathering a group of friends around him, the Scallywags. His father had even arranged the perfect bride; No Yvarai, the queen of the Spring Brides. And all this was crumbling. Gone. All of Rali’s merriness was gone as he saw the Blood leave his father’s body. Now there was only vendetta.

In a clever ruse, Rali’s mother hid the Archduke’s death, making everyone believe that the Archduke only went into seclusion in preparation of his solace. A grand banquet would be held at the Archduke’s estate, in honor of Fyx’ “retirement”, where Rali would get his chance for revenge and where the ruse would finally end. The murder would be revealed and the murderer would be destroyed.

As the guests started making their way into the banquet hall, they greeted Rali and his family, the lovely Jorja and Rali’s wise uncle, Aban Steele (Sander). Of course, an old man like Fyx would not be able to give everyone the proper honors. The houses of the Falcon, Bear, Serpent, Wolf came trickling in. A few of the noteworthy guests were the long self-exiled Elk and Rali’s uncle; Weatha Steele (Hugo), the different scallywags; among them Alexei (Marco) who was Rali’s best friend. The Fox obeyed the time-honored tradition of being fashionably late, making a stunning entrance. The young Steele was finally able to lay his eyes upon his fiancée, No Yvarai (Desirée). Her beauty stunned him, and he made sure she knew. The last Ven to congratulate Rali was Szazs Mwrr (Xavier), Alexei’s father apparently count Chayan Mwrr (Alwin) had offended the baron by entering the feasthall first.

Both Rali’s uncles approached him, both wanting Rali’s favors, knowing that Rali would be the logical successor of the old Archduke. Looking at both Elks, Rali could see their Cunning. Both these Ven would be very useful, very useful indeed. Rali gave both of them part of his resources, with the simple goals: Get the House of the Bear and the House of the Wolf to aid us. Weatha had the task to recruit the Wolf, Aban was sent to deal with the Bear. This would strengthen the position of the house.

Enjoying his last, few, unburdened hours, Rali drank wine, jested with his Scallywags, and most importantly, romanced the beautiful No. She ignored the advances of Alexei, as her fan hid her face from Rali. Her dark eyes locked on his, and passionate romance, the likes no Ven had ever witnessed before. He revealed to No his secret, and how much her Passion was keeping him alive. Alas, time was a fleeting thing, and the grand banquet approached.

Served in the other wing of the immense mansion, Rali watched as the Ven gorged themselves on the immense banquet. Still, the killer had not shown him (or her) self. It was clear that Rali needed help, if he were to catch the killer and get his revenge.

His eyes looked around the room, franticly, trying to find a proper ally. His eyes fell upon Aban, who always had been his father’s advisor. Discussing Fyx’ secret in a dark corner of the mansion, Aban responded rather mild to the death of his brother, but revealed a secret in turn. “How much are you willing to pay for Revenge?” the old blonde man asked. “Everything.” the youth responded.

Aban revealed that there were forces at work behind the scenes, forces which would like to see Rali in power. Aban was chosen over Weatha for this very reason. They promised Fyx great power, power as the high-king, a position all the Ven fear. And rightly so, the last time the Ven had a unified ruler, it nearly damned them all. But the power is so appealing.

“But I need a victim,” Rali, asked his uncle, “ someone to set an example”. The victim that his uncle suggested was Ryandual Adrente, the old Wolf. Ryandual had been hounding Rali’s father for years, and had several times proclaimed that he wouldn’t mind roasting an Elk over a fire.

At the end of the dinner, the guests gathered in the main feast hall, rain tapping on the windows of the Elk mansion. Rali paced around the room, the guests clearly unnerved. “I have something to announce, Fyx is dead. Murdered.” Gasps filled the hall. Confused looks went to Rali and between Ven. “A lot of you saw that he was reaching the end of his life, and you all had reasons to dislike him. But of all the people around here, Ryandual hated him clearly and openly. This crime needs to be avenged, I claim VENDETTA.”

No was worried about Rali. She asked him if he was serious about this. “Yes, I am, I deserve revenge.” “Alright, my love, take this broche as a sign of my love.” No’s servant adjusted Rali's broche for him and then he had to wait for his vengeance.

A jury was gathered from all the participants. For the Wolf, Torr Adrente would defend his father. Rali figured that he would have his revenge, he picked Aban, who was the one to point out that Ryandual had been openly against the Elk. As the challenger, Rali got to pick the last jury member;No. Rali hoped that his love would be on his side.

Ryandual said his last goodbyes to his family, as he would surely be punished for his treachery. The vote was about to be announced; all nobles expecting to witness one of the greatest duels in Ven history.

The announcement was made: “The jury, deems that there is not enough proof for it this case. There will be no duel.” Before Rali could realize what had happened, No came running towards him. “How could you have done this to me! You used me! You only wanted me to fall in love with you so you could get your revenge!” she stormed off, tears flowing from her eyes. A defeated Rali sat upon his throne, his sword in his hands. Suddenly he realised that the good luck charm that No had put on him had disappeared...just like her love for him.

Why was his revenge denied? What was the cause of this treachery?

As the evening went on, and the guests mingled, Rali brooded on what to do next, no love, no revenge. And then his uncle Aban approached him. “Come with me, boy.” Rali followed the older man’s blonde hair through the hallways of Fyx’ large mansion, towards two huge doors in the bottom of the mansion. Behind it, awaited three hooded figures. Chayan Mwrr, his wife Tshanja Jalan and Niassa Yvarai. They vowed that they would grant Rali all the power he would want, if he were to stand for their cause. And so the son followed in his father’s footsteps.

As Rali walked back into the feasthall, he saw that the revelries were coming to its end, several new marriage arrangements were made. Harroon proposed to the lovely Tasha Burghe. Tasha looked completely perplexed as the young Fox went on his knees before her. Further, the Fox and the Wolf reconciled, through a marriage between Torr Adrente and Niassa Yvarai. The Wolf made more alliances, by marrying off Trixauna Adrente (Maartje) and the proud warrior Davan Burghe.

And then Feyla Thorne approached Rali. “Forgive me my lord, I know this might be rude after your ordeal with No, but would you consider marrying me?” Rali knew that at this moment he would be back in charge.

Until a sudden scream came from outside the feasthall. “You will not reveal that I murdered my father!” All the guests ran outside. And there she stood. Jorja Steele, with a dagger in her hand, and Szazs Mwrr, bleeding on the ground.

The real villain had been found…Unfortunately, it was not who Rali thought though…