The Witching Hour

A Cabaret of Curiosity, Scandal, and Seduction

"One ought not generalize, of course, but Morvathians do have a singular talent for basking in the glow of their own scandals. The Witching Hour, naturally, was destined to captivate them. Boundaries transgressed, nobles affronted, reputations shredded to ribbons—it’s a veritable buffet of scandal-mongering. How perfectly... Morvathian.
Should you wish to truly know Morvathia, indulge yourself. Drink deeply of the overpriced libations, bask in the humid air clinging to your skin, and lose yourself in the glittering revelry of flesh on display. It’s gaudy, garish, and gloriously unrepentant—a defiant snub to Galdoric puritanism. Which, frankly, makes it perfect."

— From: "A Comprehensive Guide to Morvathia's Mysteries" by Salama the Dragonwitch

The Witching Hour is a renowned tavern and cabaret located in Downtown Guland's Crown, within the Witchrealm of Morvathia. Known for its dazzling, risqué performances and provocative entertainment, it has earned equal measures of acclaim and controversy. Its shows range from seductive and erotic displays to biting satirical acts that challenge societal norms and authority figures, making it a lightning rod for moral debates in the community.
Count Aymer Argentier, the ruler of Guland and a member of the Thirteen, has been one of the Witching Hour’s most vocal detractors. He once famously described it in the Guland's Gazette as “a blot on a community inhabited by the most capable and honest people in the realm.” The Witching Hour, true to its irreverent spirit, plastered the quote across promotional posters throughout Downtown in response.
Despite such criticism, the Witching Hour remains beloved by the wider public. Attempts to shut it down have been met with widespread protests, as the tavern has grown into a cherished cultural institution. On most nights, the venue is packed with patrons, its fame drawing visitors from across the Witchrealm and beyond. Over the years, it has become one of the most recognizable landmarks in Guland's Crown, its popularity insulating it from the efforts of moralizing critics and official interference.

The Story of the Witching Hour

The Witching Hour first opened its doors on the 2nd of Sunnarwhit in 1591 A.S., founded by retired banker Hankin Osterley. Initially, the venue was conceived as a direct response to the Crown Theatre, a prestigious establishment in the Realmsheart district known for its grandiose performances catered to the elite. In contrast, Osterley envisioned the Witching Hour as a theater for the everyman, offering downscaled performances focused on theatre and dance. Many of the early plays were written by Osterley himself, with a carefully selected cast of actors, singers, and performers.
However, this noble intent met with little success. Traditional theatergoers dismissed the Witching Hour as an attempt to “dumb down” the art, while other visitors found the plays dry and uninspired. When the Guland’s Gazette derisively dubbed it “the place where theatre comes to die,” the Witching Hour’s fortunes dwindled further, forcing Osterley to downsize to a small troupe of permanent performers.

A Tale of Love, Lust, and Rebellion

Among these performers was Ryselle Fane, a young actress and dancer with bold ideas. After a string of failures, Ryselle finally convinced Osterley to let her direct and stage a production of her own design, which she titled The Masquerade Amorous.
The play told the tale of a Morvathian commoner who falls madly in love with a noble witch at a masquerade ball. Through this romance, he is drawn into the secretive world of the wealthy elite, filled with carnal escapades and forbidden pleasures. The story takes a darker turn as the commoner becomes entangled in a political conspiracy, ultimately framed for the murder of his beloved.
The Masquerade Amorous was unlike anything seen on a Morvathian stage. Its provocative themes, sensual choreography, and unflinching critique of the ruling class ignited a firestorm of controversy. The initial performance attracted a modest crowd, but its daring content quickly drew attention from the city’s elites, many of whom called for the play to be banned outright.
Ironically, the uproar only fueled the production’s popularity. Morbidly curious audiences flocked to the Witching Hour to see what had sparked such outrage, and subsequent performances sold out night after night. For the first time in its history, the Witching Hour was filled to capacity, cementing its reputation as a stage for bold, boundary-pushing art.

The Scandal That Built a Legend

In the wake of this success, Osterley became a divisive public figure. Constantly under scrutiny, he was forced to defend his establishment against fierce criticism and multiple attempts to shut it down. Despite coming perilously close to closure on several occasions, Osterley skillfully leveraged his network of influential friends and allies to ensure the Witching Hour’s survival.
Amid this turmoil, Ryselle Fane rose to prominence within the Witching Hour, quickly earning Osterley’s trust as his second-in-command. With Fane taking a leading role in its creative direction, the Witching Hour evolved into a nightly venue that extended far beyond its original scope as a theater. It became a full-fledged tavern, offering food and drinks alongside a rotating lineup of smaller, yet equally provocative shows. Dances, musical performances, and daring acts filled the stage nightly, while the larger, hour-long plays became weekly highlights that attracted growing audiences.
Under Fane’s direction, the Witching Hour expanded its repertoire, adding sharp satirical and comedic performances to its already infamous array of erotic shows. This diversification broadened its appeal without dulling its controversial edge. Every new debut sparked fresh outrage and criticism from detractors, but it also drew admiration from an ever-growing audience. The Witching Hour thrived as a hub of bold and unapologetic entertainment.

From Modesty to Magnificence

In 1627 A.S., the Witching Hour faced an uncertain future after the passing of Hankin Osterley. Many believed that without his protection, the Witching Hour’s days were numbered. However, Ryselle Fane, to whom Osterley entrusted the cabaret in his will, had no intention of letting it falter.
Madame Fane, as she came to be known, had cultivated strong relationships with witches outside the ruling elite, allies who were eager to collaborate with her. Under her leadership, the Witching Hour underwent a remarkable transformation. What had once been a "theatre for the common man" and a tavern known for its raunchy entertainment became something much more ambitious.
Fane infused the Witching Hour’s performances with magic and witchcraft, enhancing every show with dazzling, otherworldly effects. The erotic themes that had drawn both acclaim and controversy were not abandoned; in fact, they were amplified. The cabaret now presented itself as a showcase of entertainment that could only exist in Morvathia—a daring and rebellious celebration of the extraordinary, where magic, art, music, and talent converged in spectacular displays.
The transformation was a resounding success. The Witching Hour quickly became one of Morvathia’s most popular attractions, drawing crowds from all walks of life. Its innovative approach to entertainment fostered a sense of cultural pride, positioning the Witching Hour as a symbol of Morvathia’s unique identity. Even its most vocal critics found themselves hesitant to act against it, wary of provoking the ire of the public.

A Jewel in the Heart of Guland’s Crown

The Witching Hour resides in a striking stone edifice that exudes opulence and charm. Its facade features elegant arches, narrow wrought-iron balconies, and steep, gabled roofs adorned with intricate moldings. Painted in deep burgundy and cream, the exterior is accented with golden filigree tracing floral patterns around the slender windows and ornate double doors. Above the entrance, a grand marquee displays "The Witching Hour" in sweeping brass calligraphy, while beneath it, brightly painted wooden frames showcase posters for the evening’s performances.
Stepping inside, guests are enveloped in a warm, heady atmosphere. The air carries a smoky sweetness, thick and clinging like honey, enhancing the sense of indulgence. The decor is a riot of bold, clashing colors—crimson velvet, dazzling magentas, and decadent golds. Walls are draped with silks and adorned with gilt-framed mirrors that reflect in a soft golden haze.

A Stage of Velvet and Gold

The heart of the Witching Hour is its massive central stage, framed by gilded railings and crowned with an extravagant chandelier dripping with glass prisms that scatter light like tiny rainbows. The tavern’s layout is tiered, ensuring every guest has an unobstructed view of the stage. Tables are tucked into cozy alcoves and mezzanines, separated by beaded curtains that offer semi-private spaces for guests seeking intimacy amidst the revelry.
Illumination is provided by pet mimics, trained to shapeshift into lanterns. These living lights crawl along the walls and pillars, casting a soft, ever-shifting glow over every table and corner of the tavern.

Frequent Shows

The Witching Hour boasts a dynamic roster of performances, with acts cycling in and out to keep the entertainment fresh and exciting. Some long-running favorites remain staples, while others retire or make way for new talents. Each night offers a medley of shows, culminating in an evening-filling play on Netherdown at the end of the week. Among the wide variety of performances, a few acts have gained legendary status, becoming beloved fixtures of the Witching Hour’s lineup.

The Glamour Revue

A cornerstone of the Witching Hour’s nightly offerings, the Glamour Revue combines burlesque with an enchanting arcane twist. Performers adorned in elaborate costumes of feathers, lace, and charms dazzle the stage, blending traditional dance and song with illusions and glamours. The result is a spectacle of heat and allure, with dancers wielding feathered fans, donning intricate headdresses, and often little else, to tease and mesmerize the crowd.

The Apocalyptic Oracle

At the height of the night, the Apocalyptic Oracle takes the stage, delighting guests with outrageous fortune-telling. Cloaked in glamor and wit, this fortune-teller uses bizarre methods to deliver her predictions—reading the smell of shoes, measuring bald spots, or interpreting the length of claws and fingernails of her guests. Her fates range from grandiose destinies to hilariously tragic ends, provoking roars of laughter and gasps. Being chosen by the Oracle often makes a guest the center of attention, adding to the act’s popularity.

The Infernal Auction

This interactive act is part theater, part bidding war, and fully chaotic. Guests are invited to take part in a mock auction led by a devilishly charming auctioneer—a flamboyant performer dressed in a sharp crimson suit, bedecked with curved horns and wielding a wit as sharp as any blade. The items up for bid are whimsical and nonsensical, such as an "invisible cloak that only hides your dignity" or a "bottle of endless bad decisions." Once the gavel falls, winners are called to the stage to claim their prizes. Most items bestow miniscule, lingering curses that last just long enough to make the night unforgettable.

The Veil’s Drop – Illusions of Seduction

Among the most anticipated acts at the Witching Hour, The Veil’s Drop is a mesmerizing illusionist showcase that captivates and beguiles its audience. The act centers on semi-transparent veils that seem to move of their own accord, swirling and dancing in intricate, fantastical shapes. The illusion taps into the viewer’s own memories or longings, transforming the veils into shapes that evoke lovers, companions, or fleeting desires. These spectral forms act out scenes of passion, intimacy, or unspoken dreams.

The Scandalous Society - Caricatures in Corsets

One of the more unique acts is the Scandalous Society, a satirical song-and-dance performance featuring performers, who take the stage dressed as exaggerated versions of famous Morvathian figures. The sketches are bawdy and irreverent, poking fun at the Court of the Chalice, the Thirteen, the Morvathian Coven. Audience participation is encouraged, with guests egged on to cheer, heckle, and even join the performers if they’re bold enough.

The Witch’s Lament

The Witch's Lament has risen to prominence as a spiritual successor to the classical Masquerade Amorous and has become a beloved staple for the Witching Hour’s marquee performance at the end of each week. This musical play tells the tale of a young Morvathian witch who falls in love with a demon summoned by the witch's mentor. The demon, bound by powerful magic to serve a noble house of witches, tempts the apprentice to loosen his magical chains. Torn between the danger of unleashing a malevolent force and her growing desire for him, the witch ultimately succumbs to her passion. In the climactic finale, she frees the demon and embraces him in a moment of fiery love and defiance—only to be dragged into the Netherhells, vanishing forever. Recent productions have drawn attention by casting both the witch and the demon with male performers.

Drinks, Bites, and Special Libations

The Witching Hour is famed for its indulgent and unique menu, offering a selection of drinks and bites that perfectly complement its lavish atmosphere. From sparkling concoctions to decadent platters, everything is designed to draw guests into the vortex of evening pleasures.

The Hex Fizz

The Witching Hour’s signature drink, the Hex Fizz, is a bubbling, iridescent cocktail served in glass chalices with gilded rims and crowned with edible flowers. This enchanting mix of exotic fruit liqueurs, juniper schnapps, and a pinch of harmless alchemical powder shimmers and shifts colors when stirred. The color change is said to reveal the guest’s inner state: red signifies passion and love, blue symbolizes elation and friendship, while green represents wanderlust and adventure, etc.

The Spicy Cauldron

This fiery crimson brew is presented in miniature cauldrons with ornate handles. A blend of spicy liquor and seasonal berries, each sip is warming, with a subtle heat that lingers on the lips, making it a favorite for those who enjoy bold flavors.

Hex on the Beach

A playful drink combining black cherry syrup, spiced rum, and lemon juice, Hex on the Beach balances sweet, sour, and tangy flavors. An alchemical powder added to the mix ensures the drink sparkles like the night sky, with its luminous shimmer lingering on the lips after every sip.

Charybdis’ Kiss

This seductive cocktail blends absinthe, cranberry juice, and violet syrup into a dangerously alluring drink. Served in a wide glass goblet, it is topped with a thick, shimmering foam streaked with silver and indigo. Its potent flavor and mesmerizing appearance make it a favorite among regulars.

The Temptation’s Plate

Designed for sharing, the Temptation’s Plate is a decadent assortment of indulgent treats. Smoked meats drizzled with fruit reductions, candied rose petals, and Morvathian cheeses veined with purple herbs create a feast for the senses. This platter is a staple for guests looking to foster intimacy and connection amidst the revelry, perfect for celebrating the night in style.