Masquerade etiquette.

[Francis Beauclair]

The attached notice will be sent out in invitations along with exquisite gold rimmed invitations to Elders, Primogen and officers of the court (including deputies) over the weeks leading up to the ball. It will also be posted in the entrance lobby of the Elysium hall on the night of the event.

Noble and respected friends you have been invited to a masquerade ball of the court of Aquae Sulis. The masquerade ball is a celebration that has travelled well down the centuries among our kind as well as the best circles of mortal society. Like all such festivities that of the masquerade ball has changed and varied over time and I set forth here my own imperfect understanding that kindred may know what to expect of the coming evening.

My own experience derives first from the court of Louis XIV of France and I look forward with lively expectation to hearing the experience of others, I would however invite kindred to observe certain traditions in relation to the event.

Kindred are invited to take on a persona or disguise for the evening, this may be an simple as that of a stranger or as complex as a Etruscan god or the spirit of good fortune, this disguise meant in a spirit of fun and it is preferable that other kindred do not publicly acknowledge the masked person's identity unless they themselves agree to reveal it. Younger kindred may take the opportunity to speak to their elders whilst disguised although any kindred that identifies themselves should be treated with the full respect that tradition affords them. Should any officer of the court wish to carry out any official business they should remove their mask to show the nature of their business.

No ball would be complete without a turn on floor and kindred are all invited to take a turn of the floor, I invite you all to take your partners and dance with joy as the night grow and our world grows again.

Finally a masquerade is and evening of delight and frivolity, whilst there are no doubt weighty matters of state that will need to be discussed I would request that where possible kindred endeavour to keep public statements and pronouncements to a minimum. Space will of course me made available for any private meetings should be be required.