[HALL OF PUBLIC SPEECH]

[cryptsleeper]

SUBJECT LINE: LOCALE SUBMISSION

Name of Place: Old Public Hall
Faction/City: Cadens
Type: Public
Description: Standing several blocks over from the central hub of Cadens, Old Public Hall represents one of the oldest surviving buildings in the city - not quite a remnant from Thorne's rule, but an early attempt of the Free Cities to assert it's own identity. Standing at three stories, the building's is not wide, but it is deep. The façade is a pale white that has grown dark with age. The exterior details are a curious mix of some of Thorne's more stately buildings, although the doors themselves feature wood carvings of the Free Cities' proud history.

The hybrid nature continues inside in much the same way. The floor is not wooden but made of alternating black and white tiles, with no installed seats. Instead, stacks of chairs sit against the sides - true seating is in the two galleries that ring a dais in the back. Leading to that dais are supports for the vaulted ceiling, which while in need of repair features intricate patterns that were once painted bright colors. Stained glass windows are set near the ceiling and behind the dais, featuring inventions of the Free Cities (and some missing panels, replaced with plain glass.)

Most days, there is a podium placed on the dais. Speaking from that spot reveals the true touch of Thorne that remains in the building. The combination of vaulted ceilings and other design elements along with spell work in the building allows for the speaker to be heard with crystal clarity no matter where they stand in the hall.

Currently, the hall is undergoing renovations to see to long lapsed up keep.

Who: All residents of the Free Cities
What: A multi-city art crawl (with strong political opinions invited), organized by Jaskier and Alucard
Where: Cadens AND with a special portal to Libertas for the week
When: [Week tbd]
Warnings: None, please warn as needed!

F L Y E RS
The flyers go up in the middle of the month, plastered around Cadens as so many other advertisements do. In bold blue print the largest text reads “A R T W A L K” with the figure of a gryphon placed between the two words.

There are promises of live performances throughout the final week of the month - plays in front of Old Public Hall, a nightly concert in the main market, installations of great sculptures, and shops that will turn into art galleries for seven days.

Midway through the week, an addendum is added: PORTAL TRAVEL TO OUR SISTER CITY OF LIBERTAS AND FURTHER EXPRESSION OF HER ARTS.

The art walk encompasses several core hubs of the city of Cadens for a full week - main plazas and the exterior of Old Public Hall, several museums and libraries, and a row of shops along the main drag of the merchant street. Beginning at six in the evening and stretching on late into the night, allowing for the night air to cool things down, Caden’s artistic side asserts itself through written words, performances, and art. Many of the pieces are supportive of Marlo and the government. These views are expressed at all levels from books and articles that focus on the progress made during Marlo's tenure, popular poems and performances honoring decorated soldiers or military heroes, and music that emphasizes defending the freedoms afforded to those in the Free Cities. Criticisms of the government or military tend to focus less on its structure and more on the failures of individuals who have "let the people down" by allowing their self-interest to get in the way of serving their nation.

NIGHTLY CONCERTS OUTSIDE OF OLD PUBLIC HALL AND GRAND PLAZA
Samuel L. Matthias (aka Smithy), of the band Clarinet Smoke is one of many local musicians who will be performing in the grand plaza this week. Known for a vocal range that many others might kill for, Clarinet Smoke has been innovating Caden’s music scene for the past two years. The recent performance at Old Public Hall (still under construction, but hosting performances outside for the week) inspired him to take the band in a new direction and embrace a cheerfully defiant edge in the face of other neighbor nations. Also performing will be Ruins at Their Feet, Berry Matt, and others. Each concert will be MCed and opened by master bard Jaskier (of aforementioned concert in Old Public Hall among other noteworthy accomplishments Performances begin at 8 or 9 PM depending on location.

UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES TO GIVE PERFORMANCES OF POEMS HELD IN THE ARCHIVES
Safiye Rudruss, head of education at the Hall of Natural Relics, will be taking the lead on the special program Their Voices are Present as a part of the week’s festivities. Working in collaboration with museum curators and archivists at two sister institutions, readings of past poetic works and histories will be given at the Hall, the main public library, and on the university quad. Sure to please, each speaker will share not only a great work of the past and the context it was written, but invite discussion about what these works mean now. Performances are held in each location, beginning at 7 PM and concluding with light refreshments.

STORES TO BECOME GALLERIES IN MINIATURE FOR THE WEEK
A number of shops have agreed to host physical art for the duration of the art walk, concentrated in the primary merchant district of Cadens. Those participating have a garland of the recently arrived glowing blooms from the darkest areas of Nocwich. The pieces hung on the walls run the gamut from quiet, desolate desert landscapes to wild canvases that move thanks to enhancements out of the universities, and some more traditional portraiture of great heroes. (And, in one subversive series housed in a macaron shop, Those Who Failed Us.)



LIBERTAS

Thanks to the interest of Quilleth Kaur, the representative of Libertas and patron of the arts, a travel portal between Cadens and Libertas has been opened for a full week. The free travel between the cities means that the arts of Libertas - subversive, countercultural, probing - can travel as well. Because freedom of expression is emphasized in Libertas, a counterculture movement has formed there which includes more critical voices of the government, politics, and war (though of course voices from all sides of the spectrum are present!)

In entering Libertas, a vast sea of artwork, operas, music, and avant-garde fashion can be found. Where Aquila has a thriving marketplace, Libertas's hub is its art scene. There are artist alleyways throughout the city and even the architecture varies wildly. Poets, musicians, painters, and other artists often meet in taverns to discuss politics and exchange ideas. Printed pamphlets are popular. Street corners are usually occupied with some kind of performance or speech all hours of the day into the night. Libertas is less strictly overseen by city guards, meaning the occasional brawl can break out over a difference of opinion. Citizens tend to govern themselves and anyone who has something to say or create is welcome to do so as long as they're willing to make their stand.

Those exploring Libertas will be able to enjoy:

Playing once daily for a full week: Erbano’s most noted work!

Once a day for a week, an emerging playwright named Engelberta Erbano will put on her most popular play. It depicts the tragedy that results from a conflict between two warring families, one from a land filled with ancient magic and one from a land powered by progress. At the end, the two main characters - whose families will not let them marry - jump into a deep crater so they can be together. Their bodies disintegrate and the families lose their children over what is ultimately a petty squabble. It is not a subtle story. Some may recognize aspects of the play's subject matter from their own world, particularly the two star-crossed lovers. The acting is of high quality and the special effects using New Magic are quite convincing. She has won a few awards for her plays.

Noted Sculptor to exhibit in both Libertas and Cadens!

Axn Kade (born Paxton Kade), a famous sculptor, will show off some of the permanent sculptures located around Libertas, as well as bring one of his larger sculptures over into Cadens for a temporary display. His sculptures are made of scrap metal derived from the abandoned mining equipment and other materials Cadens and its military leave behind, rusting in the ground. Repurposing waste into art is his goal. He's vocal about the dangerous conditions in the mines and the hazards of old heavy equipment left lying around. He also sells miniature sculptures for anyone to purchase. Given his popularity, these cost a pretty penny - the equivalent of a finely crafted sword - but they're available if anyone wishes to splurge on some art. Kade promises some of the profits will go towards improving conditions for miners.

Academic Magic used for rare and unique performances by Theany Newland!

Theany Newland is a performance artist. He utilizes elaborate puppets powered by New Magic, similar to clockwork animatronics on a smaller scale. These puppets perform unusual interpretive dances on a lush and beautiful stage of grass and flowers that bloom using - in direct contradiction to New Magic - a form of magic that is obviously the Academic Magic favored in Thorne. Unlike many in the Free Cities, Theany dresses in a manner that carries the familiar edges of nobles in Thorne. Where many prefer not to acknowledge that the Free Cities was once a part of Thorne, Theany is open about the fact that his family traces a few generations back to Thorne: academics from Hayle before they came to the Free Cities to build a new life. As a result, Theany himself is as much a subject of controversy as his work. Some insist he should be ejected from the Free Cities while others admire his boldness.

THE BARRACKS
Not to be left out, there are posters in the barracks that cheerfully announce THE ART IS WALKING TO YOU! which without the additional information that a traveling troupe from Libertas will be performing for two days, could seem more threatening than it is.

In the days prior, a stage will be built for their use. Once all is together, the performers will offer their very best work, but without the emphasis on patriotism that might come from a Cadens based group.

There will, of course, be food served and a needed break.


AFTERMATH
The portal closes on the morning of the eighth day, permitting those who stayed for one last night in Libertas to travel back to Cadens. Libertas' influence will begin to grow in Cadens and the Summoned will notice a shift in attitude among some of the locals.

QUESTIONS

Can my character give a performance/show off their own art or metal working/etc.?
Yes! Please feel free to allude to working with a local business to make a display, or slot yourself into a performance space. There are no limits to participation or the content, although those who know Jaskier or Alucard well can assume that they’d rather things contradict the current military bent in Cadens.

Can I just walk through the portal to Libertas?
Yes. You can go there and back for the entire week, mods have explicitly approved this

Please direct all further questions here. We will flag the mods if we ourselves cannot answer anything.