It is the year of our Lord 1874.
The Continental Cotillion is the most prestigious, the most exclusive, and the most expensive debutante ball in the Confederation of Atlantian Dominions. It is the event which marks the beginning of the social season in Atlantia. It is hosted every year at the Continental Hotel in Grand Harbor, a major port city in the Dominion of Delmarva, by the Atlantian Benevolent Society. It is the major fundraiser for the Society, which helps to fund relief efforts for the deserving poor and misfortunate.
The Cotillion is where the elite, rich, and powerful meet up and mingle and where their daughters are prepared to enter the world of high society and foster lifelong international friendship with each other. The presentation of debutantes at the Cotillion is also a way for young women of marriageable age to be presented to suitable bachelors and their families in the hopes of finding a suitable husband. Bachelors, in turn, can use the Cotillion as a chance to find a suitable wife.
Those who want to attend the Cotillion are required to apply for permission to do so; if the application is accepted, you will be sent an official invitation to attend the Cotillion.
To attend the Cotillion as a debutante, you must be a woman between the ages of 18 and 21. Debutantes who are usually accepted are "women of distinction" from well-connected families. Each debutante, or their family, is required to provide a donation of at least $250 to the Benevolent Society. Each debutante must be accompanied by an escort, either a male family member or an eligible young man of distinction.
Non-debutantes can apply to attend the Cotillion as well. These attendees can be eligible bachelors or simply members of elite looking to mingle with Atlantian high society. Attending the Cotillion as a guest requires making a donation of $100 to the Benevolent Society.
Attendees can arrive in Grand Harbor by ship, or they can arrive at a different port and travel overland by train to Grand Harbor. Debutantes and their escorts will be hosted in the Continental Hotel. Other attendees are responsible for their own accommodations. There are many other fine hotels in Grand Harbor, including the Waterview and the Barton Grand. Many Atlantians coming from elsewhere in the Dominions stay in the city homes or at the nearby country estates of their society friends who live in and around Grand Harbor.
The Cotillion has a strict dress code. Debutantes must wear a white evening dress (shades of ivory and pink are acceptable). Most debutantes wear pearls or family heirloom jewelry. Men attending the Cotillion must wear white tie evening dress, or a dress uniform if they are active members of the military.
Application Form for Debutantes
Name of Debutante:
Nation of Origin:
Age:
Appearance (Image or Description):
Background:
Occupation (if applicable):
Name of Escort:
Nation of Origin:
Age:
Appearance (Image or Description):
Background:
Occupation (if applicable):
Roleplay Sample:
Application Form for Other Attendees
Name of Attendee:
Nation of Origin:
Age:
Appearance (Image or Description):
Background:
Occupation (if applicable):
Reason for Attending:
Roleplay Sample:
OOC: Happy to answer any questions, either on this thread or via Telegrams. My hope is that this will be the first of a series of threads depicting major events in the social season in Atlantian Dominions, with recurring characters in the various threads