The Shadow Masquerade

This annual event, held in the dimly lit alleys of Bridgeport's Pigtown district, represents a darker side of the city’s morality, where decadence is a given. Shrouded in secrecy, the Shadow Masquerade takes place on the final night of the Festival of the Rusty Pipe. People whisper invitations through underground networks and discreetly pass them to those deemed worthy of attending. Masks are mandatory, ensuring that identities remain concealed and participants can partake in activities they would otherwise avoid in daylight.

"The Shadow Masquerade is a blight on our city’s soul. It showcases our worst impulses and moral decay. I pray for the souls of those who participate, hoping they find their way back to the light." -- Father Patrick Ridolli, local priest

While the authorities are aware of the Shadow Masquerade, they turn a blind eye, either due to their own involvement or the influence of powerful participants. This tacit acceptance allows the tradition to continue unchecked, further entrenching the moral decay it embodies.

History

The origins of the Shadow Masquerade are murky, much like the event itself. It is said to have begun as a clandestine gathering of nobles and wealthy merchants seeking to indulge in their vices away from the prying eyes of society. Over time, it evolved into a widely anticipated event, drawing participants from all walks of life who are eager to shed their inhibitions and embrace the night’s moral ambiguity.
The masks worn by attendees are more than just a means of anonymity; they represent the duality of Bridgeport's society. By day, the city thrives on commerce, culture, and order, but by night, the Shadow Masquerade reveals the underlying corruption and moral decay. The event serves as a stark reminder of the city's hidden vices and the lengths to which its citizens will go to escape societal constraints.

The Shadow Masquerade by Tillerz using MJ

Execution

The night is filled with events that symbolise the city's moral decay. Gambling tables are set up where fortunes are won and lost on the turn of a card. Illicit trade flourishes, with rare and forbidden goods changing hands. Performers engage in risqué acts, pushing the boundaries of decency. Behind closed doors, secret liaisons and negotiations take place, often involving power plays and corruption.
Black Market Auction: A secret auction where rare and often illicit items are sold to the highest bidder. Almost nothing is off-limits for the auction.
Dance of Shadows: A provocative and risqué dance performance that blurs the lines between art and obscenity leaves the audience both mesmerised and scandalised.

"I've seen the best and worst of this city, and the Masquerade is a bit of both. It's an open secret that everyone pretends to ignore. There's corruption and decadence, sure, but it also brings people together in ways that would never happen otherwise." -- Thomas Hargrave, retired Black Guard Officer

Forbidden Liaison: Hidden rooms and alcoves are scattered throughout the venue, where secret trysts and forbidden romances take place, often leading to scandalous revelations in the aftermath.
Labyrinth of Desires: An intricate maze filled with temptations and challenges. Those who navigate it successfully may find hidden treasures, but many lose themselves in their own desires.

Masked Oracle by Tillerz using MJ

Masked Oracle: A mysterious figure offers cryptic prophecies and fortunes to those brave enough to seek them, though the price for such knowledge is often steep.
Silent Auction: Participants pay a fixed fee and write their bids on slips of paper, which are then placed into a hat. The winner is drawn at random, ensuring that the most coveted items often go to unexpected bidders.
Whispering Gallery: A secluded area where participants share secrets, gossip, and confessions. Many alliances and betrayals are born here.

Feast of Shadows by Tillerz using MJ

Feast of Shadows: A decadent and lavish banquet held at the Silver Dwarf Pub. The venue, draped in dark silks and lit only by candlelight and flickering lanterns, creates an eerie yet enchanting atmosphere.
Menu:

• Shadow Soup: A rich, dark broth made from rare mushrooms, served in obsidian bowls.
• Midnight Pies: Small, savoury pastries filled with exotic meats and spices, rumoured to include rare and forbidden ingredients.
• Blackened Fowl: Tender game birds roasted to perfection, seasoned with secret herbs, and presented with a dark, glossy glaze.
• Eclipse Salad: A mix of dark leafy greens, blackberries, and candied nuts, dressed in a tangy, black vinaigrette.
• Obsidian Cake: A decadent dessert made with the finest dark chocolate, layered with rich cream, and adorned with edible silver leaf.

Masked Ball by Tillerz using MJ

The Shadow Masquerade culminates with the Masked Ball: It is an invitation-only event, with guests receiving intricately designed masks as tickets. Each mask is unique, representing different elements of the night: mystery, decadence, and hidden desires. Because everyone’s identities are ostensibly hidden, participants are expected to cut loose. Statements challenging authority, outrageous clothing, lascivious dancing, public displays of affection, impoliteness, crude jokes, and open gossip are also permitted. Many champions of silenced and oppressed factions voiced their first manifestos here. The masked ball is a can’t-miss for anyone investigating aristocratic allegiances and doings, social climbers seeking courtly influence, and underworld rogues looking for high-level protection and buyers.

"For us in the trade, the Black Market Auction is the highlight. You never know what rare item will come up, or who will bid on it. It's a night where the usual rules don't apply, and that's where the real deals are made." -- Julietta Glicci, Underground Trader

Black Rose Ceremony by Tillerz using MJ

The Black Rose Ceremony concludes the event: at the end of the night, a single black rose is given to the individual who has most exemplified the spirit of the masquerade. This "honour" is often a double-edged sword, as it marks the recipient as both the most daring and morally dubious participant.

Bridgeport City Guide

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The map of Bridgeport, a harbour city located in the south of Farenia, showcases a maritime center characterized by vibrant activity and bustling trade.

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