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After charming their way through the wilds of Nova Scotia (read: starving), the Amaranthe Brothers and their Troupe of entertainers realized that they had sated their wanderlust and craved a new venture, one that would allow their creative visions to flourish. Thus, La Estrella Roja was born. Named for the once-in-a-lifetime event that devastated the region in 2016, La Estrella Roja (a.k.a. The Red Star) stands for the idea of cataclysmic change; be it good or bad, life goes quickly and the only loser is the one who misses it.

Based in the Great Village Schoolhouse on old Infernian grounds, La Estrella Roja thrives in the ruins of infamy. The establishment is open from the moment the first star begins twinkling in the sky to when the last is snuffed out. Watching over the cantina is Lady Luck herself, whose likeness is painted on the door. There is no fee to enter and take part in the revelry, although everyone is urged to pay their respects to Lady Luck. It is said she may reward generous offers in kind - the more valuable your sacrifice, the greater your evening’s bounty.

Inside, patrons will find the nightly affair of wine, women, and song. It is a wild celebration of chance and pleasure, a raucous harmony of laughter and musical virtuosity, an intoxicating miasma of drink and smoke and courtesans in their glittering finery. La Estrella Roja is so much more than a lucky streak: it is here that the Troupe makes its home.

Territory

Hot Springs

Folly Lake

Depictions

La Estrella Roja at dusk

Interior Map

Interior

Two rooms are dedicated to gambling games. House games are on the first door on the left, and the second door to the left opens to private gambling tables, where guests may set up their own games. Each gambling room is cleared of debris and fitted with hand-made wood furniture. There is enough space for everyone to sit on rickety chairs or stand, if they prefer. Each room has a six-shelved cubby where guests may set aside drinks and personal items on it (The Troupe is not liable for anything that goes missing). Wall sconces are kept lit throughout the night, and windows opened on occasion to change out the smoky air.

The Salad Bar is the second door on the right. While cleared of debris, many of the overgrown areas were repurposed for growing certain types of plants. A long wooden table sits in the room center, separating guests and the Dealer. A large doorless cabinet (once a closet) has grown into the back wall, and a variety of tools are displayed on its shelves. Candles keep the room lit throughout the night.

Outside the Roja’s first door on the right is a candle upon a small table. If the candle is not lit, press on past the black curtain and clattering strings of seashells across the doorway and you’ll find yourself within the Divination Room, an intimate space smelling strongly of incense and smoke. The room is dimly lit by a pair of candles upon the stout table in the center of the room, which is covered in a violet linen decorated with gold thread, and drowned on the floor by a series of battered cushions to sit upon.

The Troupe quarters are exactly that — the communal resting space for members of the Troupe, the individuals behind the nightly success of La Estrella Roja. Located at the third door on the left, the Troupe’s quarters are under surveillance by Guards during business hours and somewhat impossible to break into, given the traffic of the establishment. Troupers can be seen coming and going from the quarters when taking short breaks or turning in early for the night. The inner walls are covered in furs and linens, muffling sound both inside and outside, and the floors are covered in cots, furs, and other sleeping materials of all kinds, often in skewed layers upon one another and in every direction, and personal belongings are also kept here, hidden in safe spaces under the floorboards when possible. Guests are only allowed in if accompanied by a member of the Troupe.

The Showroom is the largest space in La Estrella Roja, located at the end of the hall and greeting every patron as they enter the establishment. Featuring a large, curtained stage and tables for patrons to drink at and enjoy, the showroom features nightly live shows by the residents Bard and Minstrel, and is the best place in the joint to relax, schmooze, and have some fun. Patrons need only visit the Cantina at the far right end of the room for something to wet their throat, or ask the right person to get a set of cards to play with while they listen.

At the third door on the right are the comfort quarters, a space so perfectly cozy that one might feel drawn to “share” it with someone else. Escorts stand by at La Estrella Roja happy to be hired for a variety of services, some of which take place within the private sanctuary of the Comfort Quarters. The room has multiple beds, each fluffed and stuffed to be as comfortable as the last. The windows are boarded beneath the curtains and there is a lock on the inside of the door. Rest assured, if you pay for your privacy, you will have it.

Overview

Here at La Estrella Roja, patrons can win big as long as Lady Luck is on their side. And pray that she is, as it is an unspoken understanding that the games favor the house. House games are provided nightly, although availability depends on how busy the rooms get. On slow evenings, there may only be one game running. The Dealers often rotate and never seem to stick to a set schedule; it's advised that any regulars ask their favorite Dealer when they're playing next. The game rules are explained only when a newcomer decides to play, but generally it's encouraged for novices to watch the players for a round or two before hopping in.

There are three types of house games one can play. Guests are also welcome to claim a table and play their own private games and set their own bets in the other gambling room. If playing a house game, players will need to show proof to the Dealer to ensure that they actually have something to wager. The value of each good falls into three standards, outlined in the section below.

• Usual Dealers: Leander Sadira, Calrian
• Occasional Dealers: Salem, Marlowe (for Poker)

Standards

The easiest of the games at La Estrella Roja, Star and Anchor is the luperci equivalent of a slot machine! There is virtually no skill involved - your fate is the hands of Lady Luck.

The game is played on a table painted with 6 symbols: Star, Sun, Crown, Anchor, Heart, and Clover.

A clay chip is dealt to all the players and collected after each game. This is their betting chip, and it is used to participate in the game. These chips do not have any value outside the game or the establishment.

Players place their betting chip on the symbol that they believe is luckiest, and the Dealer will roll 3 6-sided wooden dice carved with the same 6 symbols.

Pharaoh is a fast-paced card game similar to BlackJack. It is not a game for beginners, and many of the regular gamblers might shoo away newcomers. The object of Pharaoh is to bet on the card that will match the Winning card.

The game is played on an oval shaped table and uses the standard 52 card deck. 13 cards (typically spades) are arranged in a horseshoe shape in numerical order, with the Ace of spades beginning the count and the King of spades ending it.

A clay chip is dealt to all the players and collected after each game. This is their betting chip, and it is used to participate in the game. These chips do not have any value outside the game or the establishment.

Players place their betting chip on one or multiple cards. Once the bets are made, the Dealer discards the first card (called “burning the soda card” and this is only done once at the beginning of the deck) before exposing the next two cards face up.

♠ If a player wants to raise the stakes, they can place a chip in the “High Card” area to wager that the Winning card ranks higher than the Dealer’s card on the next draw. If they are successful, their earnings double. If they are unsuccessful, they lose their whole bet to the house.

♠ A player can also flip their chip to reverse the wager - meaning that if they match the Dealer’s card, they win, and if they match the Winning Card, they lose.

♠ If the Dealer draws two cards of the same number (called a Doublet), the Dealer wins half the stakes.

Three Card Poker may draw quieter crowds than Pharaoh and Star and Anchor, but it is a parlour favorite to be sure. The object of the card game is to get a hand better than the Dealer.

Three Card Poker doesn't require a particular table setup, but it is typically played on a round table. In this type of poker, the player is only playing against the Dealer and not the other players at the table.

To begin, the player places their bets by placing their goods in the center of the table (this is called placing the “ante wager”). The Dealer then deals out 3 cards face down to each player at the table, including themselves.

The players will then review their cards and see if they want to place a play wager (must be equal to their ante wager) or fold (their ante wager is claimed by the house).

♣ If the player chooses to place a play wager, the cards will be flipped to determine the winner.

♥ If the Dealer has a hand of Jack-high or worse, the play wager is returned to the player.

♦ If the Dealer has a hand of Queen-high or better and the player’s hand is better, then both the play and ante wager are paid out to the player at 1:1.

♠ If the Dealer’s hand is superior to the player’s hand, both the ante and play wagers are collected by the house.

♣ Poker Hand Rankings

Overview

Tired of taking a hit at the gambling parlour? A good hit lies just across the hall! Known as the Salad Bar, it's here that patrons can get their hands on some homegrown smokes, rolled and ready for their convenience. Patrons are welcome to hang out and bask in the chill atmosphere (maybe bum a hit), chat up the old friendly Dealer, or return to their evening festivities with heightened appreciation. The Salad Bar goods can come wrapped in bundles, so patrons can always take their salads to go!

• Dealer: Sawyer Cook

Overview

When the candle on the table outside the door is snuffed and the black curtains are open, the Divination Room is open for business—although, seeing the Fortune Teller herself milling about outside the room waiting for business might also make this obvious. The Divination Room has a variety of services for trade.

The future doesn't have to be a mystery! The Fortune Teller can see to it all your questions are answered. The detail and length of fortune is negotiated according to any number of Green Standard goods and above in trade. Useful for seeking out answers about oneself, one’s future and love life, even what numbers to gamble in the den up the hall! Let the spirits bring you peace of mind by answering your every question!

For the bereaved, Medium services are offered. The Fortune Teller will commune with the dead with the duration of session negotiated according to the number of Blue and Red Standard goods in trade. In this session, the Fortune Teller “channels” the requested dead to the room and serves as “speaking mediator” between living and dead. A small interview about the deceased and their relationship with the living client is held prior to the session.

Players are allowed to reference receiving a fortune from the Fortune Teller without a thread after discussing with the Fortune Teller’s player the items traded off-screen as well as details about the exchange the fortune received.

Overview

One of the biggest attractions at La Estrella Roja are the Ladies of the Night. Not to be confused with regular bachelors or bachelorettes on the prowl, these enchanting escorts are distinguished by their finery and salaciousness, and are sometimes fondly referred to as Red Stars for their captivating energy. Much in the way of the Red Star, they have been taught to break down barriers and unearth the raw, primal desires of their nightly consorts. While they may work with relative autonomy, they are overseen by a Madam, who coordinates their evening activities or negotiate the terms of their arrangements with notable guests.

• Usual Ladies of the Night: Adrianna Julia, Vivian du Prix
• Madam: Adrianna Julia

Because their work tends to be of a highly specialized nature, Ladies of the Night will accept Blue and Red Standard items.

Cannoli

Simple and sweet. Spend the best hour of your life with the lady of your choosing. Your privacy isn't necessarily guaranteed if both ladies are working, but you can always upgrade your dessert. One Blue Item.

Tiramisu

You're a person of refined tastes. You know what you like and you want it all to yourself. Reserve a lady of your choosing for a few hours with total privacy and (almost) full creative freedom. Two Blue or One Red Items.

Gelato

For those in dire need of companionship, Ladies of the Night may offer their whole night. They'll cheer you on in the Gambling Parlour, dance with you in the Showroom, knock back drinks with you at the bar, and even hold your hand while you get your fortune told. There's no happy ending to this one, however. It's hard work to be a friend after all. Five Blue or 2 Red Items.

Overview

At the end of the hall is the largest, grandest room of all: The Showroom. As guests enter, they are greeted by the lilting melodies of the resident Bard, whose songs are as mesmerizing as the siren song of lore. A guest can opt to listen from one of the tables arranged around the room or join the ranks of dancers in the open space in front of the stage. If you're lucky, you might meet a Lady of the Night here.

In the right corner of the room, guests will find a Cantina serving alcohol.

• Usual Performers: Malik Amaranthe, Mateo Salcedo

Typically, The Bard will play music throughout the night with periods of rest between sets. Music themes are broadly varied, usually tailored to the tastes of whatever clientele are in-house (well-intentioned requests are often taken); traditional folk songs, bawdy sailor shanties and lovelorn, tragic ballads seem most popular. During rest periods, the Minstrel will recite his latest poetry. On occasion, other performances will be permitted.

Open Stage Night

Every new moon there is an open stage night. This is the time for those of you who've been practicing your poetry, your acapella, your cool knife-throwing demonstrations, whatever you like! Those who want to try their luck at the stage are encouraged to bring their best game - on open stage nights, the "no booing" rule is lifted, and one might get some feedback they don't enjoy.

Setlist

Although a wide variety of songs are sung at La Estrella Roja each night, some of them in particular have important cultural reference. The purpose of the songs listed here are to commemorate in-game content, and to give a way for members of the audience to learn about events, people, places or packs that they might not have heard of otherwise. This gives your character/s the opportunity to learn about the subject matter of these songs, realistically and in-character!

In addition to this, with payment of a Red Standard fair, a patron can ‘commission’ the bard and/or the minstrel to write a song - just for them! It can be to increase their own personal infamy, or to woo a lover, or to throw shade at a foe; The use of information coded into songs is a great way to spread the word about someone, or something, of your choosing. That’s right, folks: Think of it as the ‘Souls version of “Toss a coin to your Witcher!” ;)

To submit a song, please fill out the following form and PM it to either San or Alaine.

Songs about Events

STARFALL (aka Rapture in Rouge)

• A bittersweet romantic song describing the experience of a lonesome fisherman who witnessed the fall of the red star.

THISTLE AND ASH

• This emotional song describes the Inferni/Salsolan war, and the eventual fall of Inferni - Starts sad, but ends on a resilient/enduring note.

EAST END (aka Little People throw Big Punches)

• A shouty rousing tune about the Troupe saving Cook back in Portland, and fleeing together. Often involves loud audience participation, once they understand the repetitive hook.

THE MANY-TOOTHED WAR

• A verbose ballad loosely inspired by the first and second Boreas wars. Long-winded, exaggerated in scale and not entirely historically accurate.

RED SANDS, RED SHORES

• A cheery melodic ballad about the adventures of an axe-wielding shield-maiden on foreign shores.

THE FLOWER THAT SHAKES THE SKY

• A horrific, spooky song about the alien flowers that grew along the coasts and drove people to madness!

Songs about Peoples/Places/Packs

LA ROJA, A THEME (aka May Lady Luck be Sweet Tonight)

• A cheerful, coy anthem played at the start of each show. The song is a double-entendre, referencing both the sweetness of fortune won and showcasing the charms of the nightgirls in attendance.

SAN OÍCHE A THAGANN AN RÍ (aka At Night the King Comes)

• An old-world verse from the far lands of Airgid Gleann, about the preciousness of life and the inevietability of death. Hauntingly beautiful in tune.

A BED OF SNAKES

• This melody serves as a warning to avoid the land-claim of the infamous pack Salsola, situated to the west of La Roja. It is a vessel of anti-Salsolan propaganda, one of many the Troupe utilize in their Shows.

FLEA’S SONG (aka the Showtime Drinking Game)

• This one is pretty self-explanatory, and an excellent way to get quickly drunk. We love you, Flea.

RIVER LULLABY

• A melancholic harmony about the end of the day by the riverside and a metaphor for eternal sleep! From Krokar, maybe?

THE LOVER’S LAMENT

• This short and poignant melody is a fictionalized recount of the tragic high-romance courtship of the Amaranthe brothers’ parents.

A PHANTOM OF DELIGHT

• A slightly haunting melody written for a certain benefactor, though no names are ever used.

GRAVEYARD FLOWERS

• A bittersweet song that talks about the love and loss of Eden de le Ulrich's family, mostly his father, lost to time. But even in the darkest places, there are little things to brighten the future ahead.

Cantina

In the right corner of the Showroom is a small bar serving alcohol to patrons who need a little liquid courage for the night. The entry fee covers one complimentary drink, but after this guests will be charged a Blue Standard item for additional beverages. La Estrella Roja's supplies may fluctuate based on what's traded and the availability of their suppliers and the season, although they semi-regularly have wine and moonshine in stock. Guests are encouraged to bring their own alcohol if they want a guaranteed type or quality. Occasionally, patrons may find the bar is out of stock — check out the Thread Prompts to see what's going on!

• Bartenders: Calrian, Mateo Salcedo
• Occasional Bartenders: Adrianna Julia, Vivian du Prix, Gaston Trouillefou

Thread Prompts

• The Cantina is out of stock! How will you enjoy the evening festivities now?
• It is a slow night at La Roja — maybe get to know some of the workers one on one?
• You bet everything and you lost it all! Alternatively, you won big! What are you going to do now?
• You got the worst fortune and you're about to let it ruin/not ruin your night. Help!
• Oh no! You broke something and now you've got to pay up. Sorry, it's the rules!

• La Roja has just opened! The establishment will get busier as the word spreads. Connect with others and participate in the opening OOC game!

• Got complaints, comments, kudos? A good business opportunity? Looking to invest? Everyone knows the Broker has the answer — just look for the man wearing gold coin cloak pins!
• For patrons in the red who still want to play, the Shark can cover you. Just be careful, these loans have teeth, especially if they aren't paid back in time.

Thread Archive

As a courtesy, please add your Roja threads here! If you're not comfortable editing the wiki, San is happy to add it for you!

2020

1. Dance with dragons (Aug 2020)
   With Kronin Massacre, Percival Parhelion.
2. Honey drop (Aug 2020)
   With Wither Rose Soul, Percival Parhelion.
3. [M] Out among the roses and the weeds (Dec 2020)
   With Percival Parhelion, Adrianna Julia.

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Thread Archive

As a courtesy, please add your Roja threads here! If you're not comfortable editing the wiki, San is happy to add it for you!

2020

1. [M] mercury in retrograde (Jun 2021)
   With Leander Sadira, Rahab de le Poer.
2. Title (Date)
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Attributes

1. Copy contributed by Amanda, Lin, Mel, and Alaine! Thank you ♥!
2. Song idea and songs contributed by Alaine! Thank you ♥!
3. Overall framework, drawings (unless otherwise noted), and main copy contributed by San! Thanks, me!
4. Ideas and other contributions made by Raze and Gen! Thank you! ♥
5. A nameless shadow requested not to be acknowledged for their contributions. Nameless shadow, you are NOT thanked, merely appreciated. ♥

References

1. Poker Hand Rankings
2. Pharaoh (Faro)

Additional Notes

• San's silly music recommendations for Roja threads:
  • General vibe
  • When someone's dissing your fly girl
  • Slow dance