The Ball Massacre was a violent attack at Queen of Hearts’ peace ball where red caps slaughtered attendees including 8 of Spades and Vadu, shattering the Queen’s attempt to establish “live and let live” during the Feywild Riots.
Overview
The Queen of Hearts hosted a grand ball at City of Hearts with “LIVE AND LET LIVE” heraldry displayed throughout the venue. The ball was meant to establish peace and reconciliation during the tumultuous period of the Feywild Riots. Instead, it became a massacre when red caps attacked and killed multiple attendees.
Timeline
Before the Ball
- Archer arranged for the party to attend with forged invitations
- Guards were told to let the party pass through
- Queen of Hearts appeared to be under the influence of Prince of Darkness
- Queen had changed to red livery
The Event
Opening:
- Queen of Hearts entered the ball with Prince of Darkness accompanying her
- Grand ball with “LIVE AND LET LIVE” heraldry displayed
- Vadu (Head of Law from the Material Plane) was brought to make a speech about “live and let live”
The Attack:
- 8 of Spades raised a toast to begin the festivities
- As he started to speak, a red cap decapitated him mid-toast
- The red cap demanded “Blood”
- Combat erupted throughout the ballroom
- Red caps massacred attendees
- Vadu was killed by red caps (the theme became “LIVE AND LET DIE”)
- Prince of Darkness was knocked unconscious, then killed
- Queen of Hearts fell unconscious during the combat
The Party’s Response:
- Party fought the red caps
- Red caps were killed
- One dying red cap said: “I finally have all the blood I can drink, but it’ll never be enough for him”
- Party harvested red cap souls to power the Knife of Transposition
Strange Phenomena
When the Prince of Darkness was killed:
- First reflection shattered
- Second reflection zipped around the priest’s body then shattered
- Third reflection zipped around the priest and went into the body
- The body was later taken for examination
Aftermath
- Queen of Hearts woke from unconsciousness
- Met with the party and Archer to discuss the crisis
- The massacre demonstrated red caps’ unwillingness to accept peace
- Violence showed the extent of political upheaval during Feywild Riots
- Queen provided resources to help transport humans back to Material Plane
Significance
- Shattered Queen’s attempt at peace and reconciliation
- Demonstrated red caps’ violent dominance during the riots
- Killed key political figures including 8 of Spades and Vadu
- Prince of Darkness’s influence over Queen ended with his death
- The cryptic dying words suggested red caps served someone with insatiable bloodlust
Connections
- Part of broader Feywild Riots chaos
- Occurred at City of Hearts
- Led to Queen’s cooperation with party
- Connected to red caps’ political rise
- Vadu’s death here meant Ura lost her partner
- Party used red cap souls for transposition magic