At the time the Plothole to the Isle of Sycorax opens:

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Romeo Montague has been pining in love for Rosaline. In order to distract him from this lovesickness, his best friends Benvolio Montague and Mercutio Escalus convince him to crash a party - a masquerade ball being thrown by Lord (and/or Lady) Capulet. At this party, he encounters Juliet Capulet and is immediately overwhelmed with new love for her, forgetting his previous obsession with Rosaline. Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet make plans, with the assistance of Juliet’s Nurse, for Friar Lawrence to marry the lovers in secret.

However, Lord (and/or Lady) Capulet, Juliet Capulet’s parent(s), have a long-standing family feud with Lord (and/or Lady) Montague, Romeo Montague’s parent(s). Brawling in the streets is common, and as a result, Prince Paris Escalus has declared that anyone caught fighting in Verona’s streets will be put to death. In addition to this, Lord (and/or Lady) Capulet are keen for Juliet Capulet to marry Prince Paris Escalus, and would not approve of her marrying the son of their enemy.

Also in attendance at the party are Tybalt Capulet, Juliet Capulet’s hot-headed cousin, who, much like Romeo Montague’s good friend Mercutio Escalus, is often a hair-trigger away from finding any excuse to start a fight. Romeo Montague’s other best friend is Benvolio Montague, who often tries to act as the peacemaker and de-escalate street fighting if he can. He also relies on Friar Lawrence as a surrogate father-figure, with a less strained relationship with the holy man than he has with his actual parent(s); Juliet Capulet in turn most strongly relies on Juliet’s Nurse (a motormouth, fond of bawdy humour) as both a surrogate mother-figure and her best friend, as well as relying on her to relay secret messages to Romeo Montague, when she cannot escape the watchful eyes of her parent(s) for her own agency.

Note: Friar Lawrence has a particular interest in alchemy and potions - these potions vary from a serum that can allow the drinker to appear as dead, whilst secretly living, as well as actual poisons and a range of other liquids with magical properties. Mercutio Escalus is often considered “the life of the party”, forever using his wit and bringing laughter and merriment wherever he goes.