[Continued] - Harrowing Festival - 1 VC - Vaul

[OGRE MAGE]

Right, right....for the children. says Buryl, glad he didn't sit down with the kids.

I do have a bit'a skill with ropes and knots.

He bows and thanks the group, heading off to see Lyran.

Hellow fellas! This looks like dirty, sweaty work, could you use a hand? I hear youre setting up some ropes after this?

[Mister-Kent]

Olympia awakens the morning of the Harrowing, feeling refreshed after the drinking contest. Eager to get to work, she seeks out the sight of the wrestling ring and offers to put her brawn to use.

Constance rises mid-morning. He old bones creak loudly as she stretches, and she goes off to help on the farms. She walks with her cloak under her arm, and pauses under the Harvest Gate to throw it over her shoulders.

[Dram]

Baxtaw- wakes up refreshed and ready to go find something different today. He hears Jonas talking to Buryl. That sounds like a job for me. He heads in the direction Jonas pointed. Hello are you Lyran? Jonas said you might need some help.

[Keehnelf]

Skipping forward a bit...

10:00am

People continue to work in the fields, exchanging pleasantries with their fellows as the sweat builds despite the cold of the morning. Inside the town walls, the mason works with a couple of laborers to sketch out a plot for a new archway to fit in the western gate. The children begin the earnest and raucous work of building the Dagon effigies, and the adults turn themselves toward active preparation for the lunch while Buryl, Lug and Baxtaw help get the high-wire set up for the afternoon once the wrestling ring is complete.

With a few minutes to spare, the hunters turn to the adventurers and ask,"Did you lot want to set something up? We've got a bit of time and we can maybe add some activities to the afternoon and make for more merry!"

The less boisterous drinkers of the day before drag themselves out of bed and head out into the thin spring sunlight.

[Marullus]

Nihilius stands near the vendors, a tray on the table besides him. He offers sticky sweetbuns to those exiting the tavern, politely trying to strike up conversation by asking adventurers to share their exploits and tales regarding ruins beyond the city.

[KingOfCowards]

If its already 10, Bertram has been working the fields for nearly four hours. He'll ask Adrianne if she would like to help him set up some targets for an archery contest in town, because its getting closer to noon.

[Keehnelf]

10:20am

Bertram and Adrienne make their way into the town and find that the archery range has already been set up, though only for two participants at a time. If they wanted to devote the time, there is straw nearby and they could add a target or two before noon. Potentially, the archery contest could take less time in this way.

Adventurers and townsfolk are growing thick around the festival grounds as some come in from the fields or stagger down from dark rented rooms, and from the area that will later be the dance floor, the sounds of a lute being tuned rise above the steady hum of the gathering crowd.

Nihilus makes conversation with passers-by, eager for knowledge, but finds hardly anyone on the street who seems to have much to say--perhaps later in the morning, or in the afternoon, he will stumble across someone with insights to offer.

Ghrym has closed down the tavern, and is busy setting up large casks of his freshly-brewed slopethistle ale alongside the feasting-area with the help of his stout daughter, Ghryselda Briarbeard. A few other townsfolks are assisting with hauling crates of tankards.

The caravan-master, on the far side of the square, is now actively hawking his wares, calling out the exotic spices and materials he has on offer to those with coin to spare, demonstrating the functions of unusual devices and the quality of sundry items of mundane use.

Rhodri the elf steps sullenly into the midst of the bustle, half-unnoticed, a large and scruffy black bird with the look of a crow and the size of a stork slung over one shoulder with a length of rope tied about its chickeny leg. Even more than usual, he looks as though someone has stomped on his foot as he wades into the crowd.

[OGRE MAGE]

Jem leaves the fields after a few hours and goes to clean himself up before going again to check on Ulf. He wants to make sure he is healthy enough to come and enjoy the lunch and one tankard of Ghryms best ale of the year.

[OGRE MAGE]

Wendall wanders around for a while, avoiding any of the difficult work completely. He never even comes close to the fields where his brother is hard at work.

He goes to check on his new clothing in hopes of picking them up. He also checks on the arrangements that he has in store for the festivities later.

[Keehnelf]

10:40am

Jem finds Ulf conscious and slowly beginning his recovery--he has regained only a single point of constitution so far, and he looks pale and sickly and distinctly too small for his glorious beard as he lies in his sickbed. He tries to out on a brave face but it is clearly a strain.

Wendall also finds what he seeks: a brand new, fancy and finely-fitting outfit of new clothes, ready to wear right out the door and into the noonday feast!

[Spartakos]

As he walks through the crowd, Rhodri's eyes pass over most of them, scanning for someone in particular; he is in search of the town priest. When he'd loosed the arrow to bring down this fowl, he'd thought he might have landed something worth eating. But when he had recovered the fallen bird and seen that it possessed a second head--stunted and eyeless--he felt a chill go through him. He is now convinced that this bird is an ill omen, and wants to consult with the priest as to whether it is one for the town, or only for himself.

If Rhodri can locate the priest, he will show him the bird, saying (with a modicum of respect) "Holy One, I went in search of food for the festival, but I am afraid now that my arrow found something else. Can you tell me if this bird is a sign of some kind, or merely an ugly and deformed creature?"

[Keehnelf]

10:50am

Gorron looks over the creature, and says with a grim expression, "Such things can happen when we stray too far from the circle. There are many dangers that exist in the world of which we know little. Often times they announce themselves in such small ways when they wish to make themselves known. I fear that it is likely not an omen meant for you alone, but which we must all heed. I have a sermon to give this evening; but I will take some time with this carcass to determine what it might herald, if you wish."

[Spartakos]

"Please do, Holy One," Rhodri says in answer to Gorron's offer, and willingly surrenders the bird. After leaving the priest, he finds a place to wash his hands before returning to the festival area.

Seeing the archery butts, he believes he has found a task more to his liking; he goes over to see about constructing a few more targets.

[OGRE MAGE]

Wendall exits the tailors shop with a smile, thinking he looks quite dapper in the first new clothes he has ever owned. He struts about a bit, looking for one of his comrades to notice him and make a rude comment, but he finds none of them about. I guess most of them are still passed out, he says to himself. He sees that the tavern is closed so he doesn't bother trying to go back into that dangerous place.

When he spots Ghrym setting up, he approaches the dwarf and his lovely daughter. He isn't much for any heavy lifting but, perhaps there are some mugs that need to be set out or something else he can help with.

Hello Master Dwarf! You're looking as busy as ever I must say. And who is this lovely creature might I ask? Wendall bows low to Ghryselda, hoping she notices his nice attire.

I could lend you a hand if you've got something easy for me Ghrym. Say......what was that nonsense that happened in the tavern yesterday anyway? Is that mean dwarf a friend of yours or something? I thought he was gonna kill me for a second there. The real kicker is.......I have no idea why!

[OGRE MAGE]

Jem comforts Ulf as best he can. It seems that it might be a bit too soon for him to get up and move around yet. He tells the sickly dwarf to remain at rest and if he feels better later, he will come back and get him for the feast. Even if Ulf doesn't want to eat or drink, he may still want to see the ceremony and rituals.

Jem departs before the noontime meal gets underway, he finds a quiet place to say some prayers to Pelor for Ulfs recovery. He also prays for a safe and prosperous life here for his new friends and for his stupid little brother, wherever he is.

[Marullus]

Nihilius still loiters near the entrance to the tavern as time ticks on, handing out buns and trying to meet adventurers. He pauses when Wendell hurries past. He becomes more assertive, stepping forward to greet Jem as he emerges. He offers a bun and asks for a tale of ruins and mysteries beyond the city.

[OGRE MAGE]

Wendall nods at Niles as he passes. He pauses for a moment as if he has just thought of something to say, but then continues on.

A few minutes pass.....

Jem sees the boy Nihilius asking people questions like a hyper child with a thirst for adventure. He stops and accepts the food, eating it while he speaks.

Nihilius you say? That's an interesting name. You remind me of my dorky little brother actually. Not to say that you are dorky......but he sure is! I wonder where he has been these last few weeks. Off making an ass of himself no doubt!

Anyway, you were asking about the ruins? East of town here? Yes! Yes, I have been there........TWICE! We lost some good men in there..... Jem pauses for dramatic effect.

He continues talking and answering Niles' questions the best that he can, being his usual polite self.

[Marullus]

Nihilius offer a bun and listens politely. He cannot conceal a look of affront at the comparison to a dorky little brother, but recovers quickly, resuming his mannerly tone and courteous smile. "My friend, I will offer more than a bun for such tales. Perhaps we can get a table in the tavern? Your lunch is on me." He motions towards the door.

Ooc: perhaps it is best to consolidate tales in the Tavern thread. Can we move there?

[Keehnelf]

The tavern is officially closed for business and conversation that originates here--Ghrym is off doing other stuff. But you can all sit at the tables in the festival ground and have this conversation...food will be served soon.

[Marullus]

Nihilius motions Jem over to the festival table upon which the sweetbuns rest, asking politely as he sits (and hopefully Jem joins him): "What, then, are the tales? Who's tomb was it? How did it come to be full of horrors? What do we know now about the ancient kingdom of this land because you have gone? I hope to uncover the history of this ancient kingdom." His shaggy wolfhound, loathe to move from the tray of buns, lies on the ground beneath it.