INVITATION

FURTHER INFORMATION

Guests are invited to gather within Verdant’s Grace for four days of celebration honoring the union of Emperor Shēnléi and Consort Ye Lanyi as his Fourth and final Wife.

There shall be feasting and merriment, contests of wrestling and martial skill, an evening beneath the glowing waters of Tianlong’s Lantern Show, and, at the heart of it all, the Imperial Wedding Ceremony.

One sacred day shall be kept apart for Tianlong alone, when the Dynasty withdraws to honor its ancestors and ask those who came before to look kindly upon the union yet to come.

❀ You are invited to Verdant’s Grace. ❀

August 13th — August 16th

By invitation of Emperor Shēnléi and the Imperial House of Tianlong.

Of course, it would hardly be a gathering of rulers, nobles, heirs, and other important figures without a little political maneuvering beneath all of the celebration. Pack leaders are more than welcome and are in fact, encouraged to use the wedding as an excuse to speak privately with one another, discuss alliances, trade, borders, marriages, grievances, or whatever else might benefit their people. Not every conversation has to be friendly, either. Old rivalries may find themselves being aired at the same feast, while others might see the wedding as the perfect opportunity to make themselves known to someone important.

There are plenty of quieter ways to play with potential group politics as well. A carefully chosen introduction, an impressive showing during one of the competitions, sitting beside the right person during the feast, or being seen speaking with a particular ruler could all mean something to those paying attention. Friendships can become alliances, marriage prospects may be considered, rumors may begin to spread, and promises could very well be made where only a few ears are meant to hear them.

Characters are encouraged to scheme, socialize, negotiate, flirt, gossip, make connections, cause a scandal with appropriate approval, or simply size one another up while everyone is gathered in one place. Tianlong will offer its guests hospitality and protection during the celebrations, but that certainly does not mean the Emperor—or the rest of his court—will always be watching what unfolds beneath his roof.

* Side threads during the time of the wedding should be marked with WP in the thread title for easy readability.

Have fun ;p

ASSUMPTIONS THAT CAN BE MADE

Unless otherwise discussed, all invited guests may assume that they were welcomed properly into Tianlong upon their arrival and shown somewhere comfortable to rest for the duration of the wedding celebrations. Sleeping spaces and guest quarters will have been prepared ahead of time, with families and members of the same pack kept near one another where possible. Visiting leaders and their immediate families will naturally be given more private accommodations befitting their station.

Guests may also assume that food, fresh water, and basic necessities are freely provided throughout their stay. Tianlong would consider it a poor reflection upon itself to invite others beneath its roof only to leave them hungry or uncomfortable. Characters are more than welcome to bring gifts, foods, decorations, attendants, or traditions of their own, but none of this is required in order to attend.

You do not need to make an arrival thread unless you would like one! Characters may simply be assumed to have arrived on the 13th, been received by Tianlong, given their accommodations, and allowed time to settle before the welcoming feast.

Likewise, guests are welcome to wander the portions of Verdant's Grace that have been opened for the celebration, socialize with Tianlong's members, meet other visitors, explore, rest, or create smaller private threads between the larger events.

If there is something more specific you would like your character to have arranged during their stay, just poke me and we can figure something out!

THOSE FORMALLY INVITED

Camhanaich, Dusk Oasis, Fujiwara Dynasty, Highwayman Howff, Jakten, Ravorn, Satriya, Dawnbreak, Velaris, and Tukshaat.

* If you are pack leaders, please post below to confirm whether or not you'll attend or send a delegation in your stead. If you are from one of these packs that are attending, post below to confirm your attendance.

Also please include whether or not you want your character to join a randomized thread/prompt mixer and whether or not they would like to partake in the wrestling match and warrior battle to test their mettle or show off their fighting prowess!

THOSE ATTENDING

WEDDING TIMELINE

AUGUST 13TH — ARRIVAL & WELCOMING FEAST

Throughout the day, invited guests will begin arriving within Verdant's Grace. They will be welcomed beneath Tianlong's hospitality, shown to their accommodations, reunited with friends and allies, and allowed time to settle in before the formal celebrations begin.

That evening, Tianlong will hold a great welcoming feast in honor of its guests. This is intended to be one of the more relaxed portions of the celebration and a chance for everyone to mingle before the ceremony itself. Eat, gossip, meet other packs, exchange gifts, introduce rulers to one another, make questionable political decisions, flirt with someone's relative, or simply enjoy the evening.

---

AUGUST 14TH — THE WEDDING, FEAST, & LANTERN SHOW

Morning — The Marriage Ceremony

In the morning, guests will gather to witness the formal marriage of Emperor Shēnléi and Consort Ye Lanyi. The ceremony will honor Tianlong's traditions alongside those carried by Lanyi from the steppes, joining not only husband and wife but the histories and families that stand behind them.

Evening — Wedding Feast

That evening, another feast will be held—this time specifically in honor of the newly married couple.

Where the previous night's feast welcomed Tianlong's visitors, this one is meant to celebrate Shēnléi and Lanyi themselves. Gifts may be presented, blessings offered, speeches made, embarrassing stories shared (if you dare), and congratulations given.

Night — The Lantern Show

Once darkness settles over Verdant's Grace, guests will be invited toward the water.

Bioluminescent algae covering the rocks and shoreline will illuminate beneath the night like countless tiny lanterns, turning the coast into something almost otherworldly. This is intended to be a quieter ending to the wedding day and a perfect setting for private conversations, romantic threads, confessions, diplomacy conducted somewhere less crowded, or simply enjoying the glow beneath the stars.

---

AUGUST 15TH — THE GAMES

The following day belongs to the programmed competitions.

Traditional Steppe Wrestling

In honor of Ye Lanyi's homeland, wolves may participate in a traditional wrestling contest inspired by the customs of the steppes. Strength certainly helps, but balance, technique, endurance, and knowing how to use an opponent's weight against them may prove just as important.

Visitors and Tianlong members alike are welcome to participate.

Warrior Competition

Later, those wishing to test more than strength alone may enter the warrior competition.

Participants will face one another in controlled combat intended to showcase skill, discipline, adaptability, courage, and restraint. This is also an excellent opportunity for warriors hoping to make an impression upon Tianlong's Emperor, military figures, visiting rulers—or perhaps somebody watching from the sidelines.

---

AUGUST 16TH — DEPARTURE & ANCESTRAL DAY

Morning — Guests Depart

Outside guests are expected to begin leaving Tianlong on the morning of the 16th.

Characters who wish to remain longer are absolutely welcome to do so if their extended stay has been discussed beforehand, whether because of friendships, diplomacy, family, courtship, travel arrangements, or other plots. Otherwise, Tianlong will bid its guests farewell and see them safely beyond its borders.

Ancestral Day — Tianlong Only

Once Tianlong's guests have departed, the Dynasty will turn inward.

The remainder of the 16th is reserved for Ancestral Day, a private observance belonging solely to Tianlong. Families will gather to remember those who came before them, speak the names of their dead, leave offerings, tell old stories, and ask their ancestors to watch over the generations who remain.