ASTERCALIA OF THE KINGDOM

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THE KINGDOM’S TEMPORE OF GROWTH AND MATURATION

1876

To the loyal subjects of the Orenian Kingdom, a reinvigorated age of prosperity is upon Oren and we as a culture are mandated to flourish for centuries to come through our exemplary adolescence. The Future of Oren is upon us and it is dire that we as a society put forth the potential youth of the Kingdom through high anticipations. Furthermore, to persist the custom of the ceremonious coming of age is proprietary for the youthful, eligible nobility of the Stassion Court and those alike. It is with extraordinary satisfaction that the Astercalia Reforms are publicized, reforms enclosing high society, merrymakings to adequately mark the transition into the tribulations of maturity, and advancements to facilitate the prosperity of love.

 

 

New Meaning

To redirect the interpretation of the Astercalia, the high peerage of Vienne will no longer be mandated to bestow their flair and accomplishments during the noble ceremony. The New Meaning of the Astercalia will encompass high society as a whole to unite and assemble under one King.

 

The Astercalia Garden

Once debuters are presented to the Queen, they will be bestowed seeds for either a chaste, dainty Daisy of Adolescence or a ruby, blooming Rose of Maturation. In order to unroot themselves from the eligibility garden, ladies who’ve discovered a partner will eradicate their bud, illustrating that they uncovered a suitor.

 

The Queen’s Favor

At the courtesy of the Queen Vivienne of Savoy, Her Royal Majesty will customarily use her exemplary verdict to moderate all marriages arranged during the depths of the season, along with Princess Royal, Her Royal Highness Maude of Oren when she comes of age. Debutants who hope for their coveted union to be arranged by Her Royal Majesty are directed to arrange a private appointment with the other party and their matriarch in order to discuss possible configurations. If Her Royal Majesty voices disfavor in the match, then such will further cease to exist.

 

The Anonymous Penman

In order to avert the abhorrent whispers of gossip columns, an exclusive podium will be present within the palace for mysterious writings to be documented. Individuals are encouraged to report anything that may be of interest to this podium as they dissuade others from pursuing knowledge in an antagonistic manner.

 

 

 

To guarantee that participants are adequately prepared for this occurrence, the Astercalia Season will be proclaimed two years in advance to cater to seamstresses expecting to design appropriate attire. All eligible nobility will be automatically inscribed to the index of noble participations (called actors). Noble pedigree between the ages of fifteen and twenty-four will be ordered to participate. Once the directory of individuals is released, those unable to participate must send a direct missive to Her Royal Majesty.

 

Whilst it is seen as a requirement to be of noble birth to debut, exceptions may be made towards those common-born; An Auspice, an official letter of patronage. To obtain such, one must contact an aristocratic household to request such. Each house is entitled to sponsor a total of two commoners whether it be male or female.

 

Sponsorship must be submitted with a signature, direct letter, or exchange between the peer in question directly to Her Royal Majesty. 
 

 

As detailed by Empress-Regnant Anastasia

 

THE QUEEN’S PRELIMINARY

Upon the commencement of Astercalia, chosen noble actors will partake in a seminar on the fundamentals of inaugurating themselves in high society. Traditional Orenian cuisine and abundant refreshments will be offered to those present. Young ladies and lords will be examined firmly on their mannerisms throughout the lecture, which will be hosted by Her Royal Majesty, Queen Vivienne of Savoy, and her formal party. Preceding the debutante course, the Court Seamstress will catalog measurements of each individual for a costume to be created. Those present will relish in discussions and are welcomed to mingle on their own accord.

((Please note that skins will not be provided.))

 

THE AISLE CEREMONY

&

AMADISTUS

In honor of Amadea of Pompourelia

In honor of the decades-old tradition, the Aisle Ceremony will entail an exhibition of those participating, diverging first-time actors, and those who have debuted before. Actors order will be based on the order of majesty, those of royal genesis will be the foremost to proceed, noble pedigree secondary, those on sponsorship threefold, and aristocrats from foreign nations endmost. Actors must demonstrate Orenian mannerisms and class, whilst exhibiting their household to the highest degree. Those of the same house will debut concurrently chaperoned by their patriarch, treading aside them on the aisle to ensure proper representation. Those with An Auspice are to be chaperoned by those sponsoring them. If two actors are betrothed already, they will walk jointly beside each other. Once the party arrives at the dais, the chaperone will bow, step aside, and bestow the limelight upon the actor. Following the Aisle Ceremony, Her Royal Majesty will present ladies with respective seeds based on age group that they will later plant in The Sow.

 

A traditional ball will prevail at The Aisle Ceremony to introduce each actor along with aristocrats and those of royal advent. Thus is Amadistus with an open invitation to public attendees. In order to uphold integrity to the lady debutantes and male debuts, actors are hailed to maintain the stringent prerequisites of etiquette therein. Later in the eve, a march will initiate in which maidens will waltz with each suitor, entertaining in conversation in which ladies will then shift to the next suitor after a short period.

 

A debutante saunters the aisle towards adulthood.

 

THE SOW & HOLLOW

Amidst the Astercalia Garden, the planting of The Sow will commence at the inception of Astercalia. During this time, maidens will plant seeds given by Her Royal Majesty of either a; 

 

Rose of Maturation

Daisy of Adolescence

 

Sowed bushes are to be preserved by each lady and will gradually bloom throughout the season, portraying her blossoming into high society. Once maidens have located a respective dance partner for the final ball or a love match, they will silently unbury their flower and present it to the suitor of their choosing. Pairs are demanded to conceal their courtships confidentially until the end of the season. Be wary, if one’s bush is somehow uprooted by another, they will not be able to participate in the final ceremonial ball. 

The Hollow, however, is a personalized occurrence where one bears the flowers that have blossomed from the bush and mash them up into a pigment. This matter will then be expelled into the Lion’s Den, portraying the adaptation of the chaos and tribulations that is adulthood. Ladies must write to Her Royal Majesty to secure her approval of the match they have cultivated. If she consents, the match will be announced at the final ball, but if she disapproves, Her Royal Majesty will yield a letter of dismissal. A lady who fails to write a letter asking for approval will be deemed raucous. 
 

THE TOURNEY OF FURNESTOCK

 

In honor of Philip III

A showcase of potency is deemed suitable and essential amidst the festivities and ceremonies of Astercalia by the Stassion Court. The finest soldiers, swordsmen, and knights from each noble pedigree are to coalesce in a manifold of challenges at the Ruins of Haverlock against one another to inevitably proclaim the champion of the eve, who shall be announced as the Champion of Furnestock. Such a designation will be maintained until the following Astercalia, where the title will be impugned once again. At the occurrence itself, ladies will retrieve a rose from their bush to present to a competitor whom they believe may triumph as Champion of Furnestock. The flowers collected by the victor will be presented to the lady of his selection.

 

THE ANASTASIAN FINALE

In honor of Empress Anastasia

 

The Anastasian Finale will host every actor along with an unrestricted invitation to public attendees. The ball will initiate with the announcement of those who partook in festivities throughout the season. Her Royal Majesty will then formally disclose the matrimony of courtships arranged as each lady delivers a flower from their bush to their match. Traditional dishes from each notable house will be served along with a multitude of refreshments before the conclusive dance will initiate. Pairs will conjoin to a ribbon and waltz in a spiral about a maypole until the ribbon has been entirely enveloped around the pole. The Merry will conclude with a personalized address from His Royal Majesty, Frederick I, before partners may live happily ever after.

 

 

 

The concept of the Astercalia is to embody the coming of age of an individual while remaining within the wills of Owynism. In order to find compatible partners, one must be alluring, but open with their ancestry. Those participating shall adorn themselves with the respected colors of their house. When partaking in Astercalia, it is important to represent one's family well through familial motifs, such as animals or symbols. It is encouraged for women to bear family heirlooms that represent their households while men don their familial capes and tapestries. 

 

Headwear, pertaining as tiaras and circlets, though otherwise disallowed, are authorized for all debutantes of peers who obtain familial antiques. Debutantes of peers all below a ducal title may only model these if endorsed by The Keeper of the Crown Jewels. Whilst those may be privileged under specific regulations, Crowns and diadems are strictly prohibited upon the actor population. Though, brooches and other headpieces alike are vigorously urged among ladies whilst styling one’s hair. Failure to abide by the rules may result in direct confrontation from Her Royal Majesty herself. Throughout the events to come, the dais which hosts the Royal Family must remain untouched throughout all events. The dais is a symbol of stature and will only be used by those directly invited to join Her Royal Majesty and The Princess Royal when she comes of age. Amidst the actors, lady debutantes must not speak unless spoken to and are mandated to present a curtsy before the royal entourage and Queen’s Council.

Actors must remain decorous to their peers throughout the season. Addressing through introductions and conclusions of conversations are based on the gender of the actor. Male peers and consorts may be addressed as Lord or “my lord”, whilst female peers and consorts may be addressed as Lady or “my lady”. 

SIGNED,

HER ROYAL MAJESTY, Vivienne of Savoy, Queen consort of Oren, forever August, Queen consort of Renatus, Curon, Kaedrin, Salvus, and Seventis, Grand Duchess consort of Ves, Duchess consort of Vienne, Helena, Novellen, Furnestock, Petra, Oltremont, South Arentania, and Lorraine, Countess consort of Mardon, Baroness consort of Renzfeld, Protector of the Heartlanders and Farfolk, etcetera

 

HER HIGHNESS, Claude Élisabeth Ashford de Savoie, The Lady Privy Seal

 

MISS Elisabeth Amalie von Preussens, The Troubadour

 

MISS Elisabetta Agnese MacPherson, The Mistress of Attire

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An empress, from a time not long ago but a time long gone, smiles. Tradition lives on.