A London social season is filled with dozens of balls, soirées and other social events. This game focuses on the three grandest balls held during the season, hosted by the Chesterton family in their Mayfair mansion. More information about the balls held during The Social Season and the Chesterton family can be found below. During the balls, there will be a few opportunities for in-character dancing, as described more here.

The first ball of the season provides an opportunity for old friends and old enemies to reconnect after time spent in the country. This ball also serves as the debut of young adults entering society, a moment they have spent years preparing for. Debutantes may view this occasion with excitement, dread, or simply curiosity at the prospect of meeting their future spouse. London is cold and foggy, and at the end of this month the Thames will freeze over completely, giving rise to the 1814 Frost Fair.

The Spring Ball marks the midpoint of the social season, and attendees traditionally take inspiration from nature for their outfit choices. The hosts have had many weeks to prepare for this ball, so it is the most extravagant of all, with lavish food, floral centrepieces around the room and elaborate chalk drawings of scenery on the floors. It is also a popular time for proposals, as a spring betrothal provides plenty of time to arrange a wedding before the end of the social season.

The final ball of the season is a time for celebration but also holds a touch of sadness, as it may be many months before the attendees see each other again next year. It is the time for long-standing schemes to come to fruition and for last-minute dramatic proposals of marriage.

The Chesterton family have always been granted the high honour of hosting these prestigious balls through their friendship with the Queen. The family has recently gone through a difficult period as the late Duke John Chesterton died just after the conclusion of the last social season, soon after marrying his second wife. Some have theorised that the late Duke might have been cursed, as the previous year he lost his first wife and son to consumption. Upon his death, the Duke’s title passed to his nephew, Thomas, from a lesser known branch of the family. Duke Thomas’s mother, Lady Katherine Chesterton, insisted that the family continue to host the balls (despite having less connections and prestige compared to the late Duke), and the Queen granted this request.

A drawing of the Chesterton family tree can be found below, but players are welcome to add to it through their character submissions.