Midnight Forest - the Governor's Annual Ball! March 5, 2021

[Jaycy Ashleana]

Midnight Forest: A Fête of Night's Creatures

The Solarium has been transformed for the premier event on the Governor's social calendar; where ordered sections usually stood, the entire space has become strategically overgrown to resemble the forests of the Wilds just outside the City set in an eternal night. The length of the entryway leading to the Solarium had been converted into a vine-covered path and illuminated by guiding lanterns. Just inside the doors that protected the plants from weather stood an art installation by master metalsmith Hephaestus Miller, the great minotaur who stood guard over the ball and exemplified the theme within.

Groves, ringed around the outer pathways, were designed with different atmospheres in mind to allow for more intimate gatherings while the central hill stood visible even to the new entrant, centerpiece for the grand assemblage. Fairy lights (but not real faeries) strung from branch to branch overhead to allow for soft, sweet illumination in all the colors of the rainbow.







Scattered too were artistic works created by preeminent master craftspeople (led by renowned metalsmith Heph Miller).


Works by Hephaestus Miller





Works by Additional Artists











Magical and mundane creatures abound - fawns mingled with dragons great and small and impossibly large tigers - as the Governor celebrated the diversity in Rhydin beyond simple humanoids through her chosen theme.

[Jaycy Ashleana]

The cafe was closed and decorated for the evening, awash in ivy, and in its place was a long line of plates that offered delightful bites and an open, full bar. Central of this small clearing was a lengthy table to allow patrons to sit, talk, and eat for a spell.

For the sweet tooth

[Jaycy Ashleana]

The lady of the night was there, to the surprise of no one, featuring a dress by the incomparable Koyliak VanDuran-Simon!

The open back gave way to great black-striped silver dragonwings that sprouted from her shoulder blades and barely brushed the ground in their relaxed posture.

The amazing Mart Di'Luna crafted her jewelry for the evening.




Pendant:


Earrings:



Bracelets (one on each arm):

[Conner Reid]

Conner will be taking a rare night off from the Red Dragon Inn to enjoy himself at the Governor's Ball!



He'll be in a classic tux... the tie will be tied for seconds maybe.

[Death Knell]

Someone had sent the monster slayer a deep red dress, soft velvet with matching gloves, and a gold necklace and sandals with orange spinel and aquamarine stones to complete the fiery red effect of a phoenix. It was unclear who had arranged this, but allegedly she bad been ambushed on her way to Old Temple, shooed into a salon, and had her hair washed, trimmed, and styled.



She'd even had a bath -- no sign of her own blighted blood, any beast's blood, or mud or dirty anywhere on her, at least at the start of the night.

There was a sword hidden in that outfit, strapped to her calf, which she periodically checked on. One never knew what could happen at a ball in RhyDin -- or when one might get the opportunity to "thank" whoever had arranged for both her outfit and her hair.

[Regina Wellston]

The musician wasn’t about to miss an event as important as this! She had pulled out all the stops for the night it seemed as she arrived on the prettiest white Pegasus horse around! Even though the creature had wings, she wasn’t flying. The horse strolled up to the solarium with the musician perched in the saddle, sideways in a gown that was a multitude of rainbow colors and butterflies and sparkles that looked very familiar to the same colors The Governor used when appearing somewhere. Mahogany curls had been pulled up into a delicate twist on her head and amidst them was a glittering unicorn horn. It was a sight that most might not be used to seeing simple Reggie looking like, but it was for a good cause. She spent the majority of the evening dancing with her Cowboy and laughing among friends. Making sure to stop Jaycy several times during the night to compliment her on everything and especially on how stunning she looked. It was well into the late hours before she was lead away with shoes in her hands, to slip into the saddle of the majestic horse once more and head home.

[Anya de la Rose]

Anya arrived early to take advantage of some food and liquid courage. She'd fully embraced the theme of the night and chosen to dress as a dragon. What else when attending a party thrown by an actual dragon?



The large headdress had been a stretch for her and only lasted the first thirty minutes before being abandoned. If the forgotten accessory became part of someone else's costume, she wouldn't be asking for it back. Underneath, she had worn her hair loosely secured by a dragon themed barrette.

[Scarlett]

Scarlett had spent the better part of her day surrounded by friends, laughter, and a challenge. Setting her own costume aside, she had managed to help Alexia create hers and put together Isuelt’s entire costume before putting the finishing touches on her own. She was more excited to watch her friends enjoy themselves and looked forward to seeing all of the new sights that were sure to be everywhere within the Solarum. The group arrived amid excited laughter and giggles and certainly Scarlett might have stood out the most with the glowing blue crystals that lined the ruffles of the gossamer white gown she wore and then lined the wings she had fabricated. They folded down at her sides so at first, it might seem like a cloak. But with a click of a button, the wings opened up mechanically behind her to be displayed in all of their blue and white glowing wonder. All of this was accented by the blue, silver, and purple crystals that surrounded her eyes and trailed down to her chest. Blue was the highlighted color of make up on her face, causing sky blue eyes to seem all the more bright. A crystal dragon’s eyes must be thought right? Though that could be due to the fun she had at her first ever Governors Ball. It was a night she certainly would never forget.

The credit for the next image belongs to the lovely writer of Pharlen. Thank you so much!

[Mist Gul]

If you ask him, he'll say he's a fallen. There isn't any way you can get him to say the 'S' word, though he had a strange history with that particular Fallen. A lot had change to bring him to that particular costume. Confidence and calm.

And frankly, he looks hot.

The wings work just fine, but are as much spellwork as the ember colors of his hair.


(Image also by Pharlen )

[Lucy Mitford]

Lucy had been attending as many of the Fashion Week events as she could, most often accompanied by August, and the Governor's Ball was a must-not-miss for them! While Lucy vaguely understood there was a theme, she insisted that this was as witchy as she could get!

[Clayton R. Sheridan]

If the theme is "Night's Creatures," then it's entirely appropriate for the big cat to show up naked.

[PrlUnicorn]

Collie chose a midnight blue gown. Maybe the wings were real, maybe not? She wore night blooming jasmine in her hair.

[Amaris]

Amaris showed up as graceful as ever... um after a fast faceplant while getting use to the heels

[Narisa]

Narisa arrived late to the Governor's Ball, but made an entrance in her attire inspired by the mythical phoenix, with her hair enveloped in a fiery halo to complete the image.

[Koyliak]

Koy floated in, doing the most and on her third outfit change of the day in what was turning out to be a very jam-packed Fashion Week.