[Continued] - Harrowing Festival - 1 VC - Vaul

[MonkeyWrench]

11:50am

It's almost time! Val's getting drunk again!

[Zhym]

Lug, long finished carrying around dirt for the wrestling competition, asks when the wrestling competition is going to start. Will there be other chances to fight?

[Zhym]

Ulf gratefully accepts the ale from Jem (if the clerics will allow it; if they won't, he'll sneak a sip or two anyway). He'd like to hobble out to the festivities if he's strong enough to do so.

[Zorroroaster]

Lug, long finished carrying around dirt for the wrestling competition, asks when the wrestling competition is going to start. Will there be other chances to fight?

Depends on whether he bumps into a certain young wizard or not...

[OGRE MAGE]

11:50am

The fortune teller is seated at the small table, a seeing crystal and deck of cards covered covered in velvet cloth of the same violet hue as the seer's robes lying on the table. The veil and hood are still in place, and the figure motions with one large gloved hand for Jem to be seated before it speaks, in a low, husky voice that is almost too deep and gravelly to be a man's.

"Sosostris sees you, servant of Pelor. She sees that you desire a crystal vision. Is this so?"

Jem enters with a wide smile. He pulls his necklace out from beneath his cloak and speaks as respectfully as possible to Sosostris.

I am intrigued as to your abilities to be sure. What can you tell me that would be worth this hard earned coin?

He lays the 10 gold down on the table making sure she notices his necklace.

[OGRE MAGE]

Lug, long finished carrying around dirt for the wrestling competition, asks when the wrestling competition is going to start. Will there be other chances to fight?

Depends on whether he bumps into a certain young wizard or not...

Im interested to see how Kheenelf is going to handle the fact that Lug may not even be alive to go on the journey that you just got back from. It ain't like the little brat is hiding from him......bring it on, bit**!

[KingOfCowards]

Lug, long finished carrying around dirt for the wrestling competition, asks when the wrestling competition is going to start. Will there be other chances to fight?

Depends on whether he bumps into a certain young wizard or not...

If Wendall didn't like Orrin, I'm sure he'll love Lug.

[Keehnelf]

The seer sweeps the gold coins from the table into a small velvet pouch, which it shakes several times over the covered form of the seeing crystal, then in one motion draws the covering cloth and the pouch to one side, where they seemingly disappear into the dimly-lit air.

The figure crouches low over the crystal, which glimmers faintly, catching reflected light from a slight crack in the enclosure allowing in the mid-day sun. The seer's gloved hands surround the crystal, and the seer mumbles, low and soft and gravelly, in some forbidden tongue.

The air fills slowly with a faint hum, like the beginning of someone resonating a crystal glass with their finger, and then the seer looks up suddenly. "Sosostris brings me visions in the crystal. But you may not like what you see. Will you look? Or will you have me tell you of them?"

[OGRE MAGE]

Jem
If I may not like what I see, then please tell me of them.

[Keehnelf]

Lug, long finished carrying around dirt for the wrestling competition, asks when the wrestling competition is going to start. Will there be other chances to fight?

Wrestling will begin at 1pm, after the lunch!

[Keehnelf]

Athlix the seer bends low over the crystal, hands waving, and mists seem to swirl and shimmer within. Silence for a long moment, and then the voice begins to intone, high and other-worldly:

For Jem:

"Beware the fires of Dagon, for they bring you ill. Their flames hold uncanny heat, and featherless birds shall spell your doom if you tarry. However, if you can quench the fires, wealth and glory beyond imagining shall be yours for the taking. For you alone, the thrice-locked door shall open. But each mouth demands its meal."

The seer is quiet again for a long moment, head bowed. Then the low and gravelly voice once more: "So, did you find what you seek? Or did you seek what you must find?"

[Mister-Kent]

Constance lines up for the seer, eager to have her fortune told...

[OGRE MAGE]

Athlix the seer bends low over the crystal, hands waving, and mists seem to swirl and shimmer within. Silence for a long moment, and then the voice begins to intone, high and other-worldly:

For Jem:

"Beware the fires of Dagon, for they bring you ill. Their flames hold uncanny heat, and featherless birds shall spell your doom if you tarry. However, if you can quench the fires, wealth and glory beyond imagining shall be yours for the taking. For you alone, the thrice-locked door shall open. But each mouth demands its meal."

The seer is quiet again for a long moment, head bowed. Then the low and gravelly voice once more: "So, did you find what you seek? Or did you seek what you must find?"

I can't really say either I suppose, but it was entertaining to me. I will have to think your words over for a time and discern their meanings.

Jem draws out another 5gp and sets them on the table.

Perhaps you could tell me something about my baby brother Wendall? I haven't seen him in over a month and am concerned as to his whereabouts and safety.

15 gold deducted

[Marullus]

As Constance joins him outside the cart, Nihilius smiles at her. "Perhaps we go in together? I would not wish you ensorcelled alone by a spell, and am curious to watch her method. She could be nefarious or a charlatan."

[Mister-Kent]

Constance nods happily and introduces herself. "Yes, together is always better," she agrees.

"But have no fear for my vulnerability," she adds playfully. "I am not quite so easy to ensorcel..."

[Marullus]

Nihilius bows to Constance with old, stuffy formalities, introducing himself as well. "I will not doubt it, Madame Constance. Your name alone pronounces you unwaivering." He smiles, then steps over beside her to wait.

[Mister-Kent]

Constance's wrinkled cheeks blush. "Oh, Mister Nihilius!" the old witch titters.

"What counsel to you seek, to approach a seer such as Athlix?" she asks the young man. "Are you unsure of your path? Seeking something of value?"

"It's some-one I'm seeking, though I...sometimes I very much doubt I'll ever find him." Her voice saddens.

[Keehnelf]

Noon:

The tables are set up, the food is hot and steaming against the lingering chill of the morning and the townsfolk are in from the field to partake of the fare and drink the first of Ghrym's new spring ale.

A slate has been set up on one side of the festival ground, indicating the activities for the afternoon. Those interested can make their marks with chalk to participate. The slate indicates:

1:00pm

Archery
------------



Wrestling
------------


2:30pm

High-wire
------------


Storytelling
------------

For Jem:

Athlix lays out six cards in an arcane pattern, a circle bisected by a line. The first card shows a beautiful young pregnant woman with a crown.

"The Empress", breathes the seer.

The second card shows a pixie lying under a night sky dominated by a single star.

"The Star", the seer indicates, sweeping a hand over the face of the card.

The third depicts a young man in finery dangled feet-up from a gallows.

"The Hanged Man", the seer nods, as though expecting this.

The fourth features a centaur with a silver crown peeking from out of a cave.

"The Wise Hermit." The seer pauses for a moment before continuing.

The fifth card, at the top of the bisecting line, shows a tall woman with dark hair dressed all in white, standing in the middle of a river while a rainbow arcs overhead. She seems to be smiling.

"Balance," the seer says, voice quieter. Athlix's hand trembles as it approaches the final card, which features a tall stone tower which has been struck by lightning and is in the process of crumbling.

"The Tower."

The seer is silent for a long while, passing hands over the pattern from one card to another, picking out details of each and seeming to connect the whole with invisible lines.

"Your brother seeks to better himself. He is surrounded by uncertainty, and believes that ill-luck is what prevents his success. However, he fails to see beyond his small setbacks to understand the destiny that lies before him. Should he let go of his fear of failure, he will find greatness indeed."

The seers hand passes toward the final few cards after a pause. "He is surrounded by friends, or those of wise counsel if he would allow himself to take it. He allows his inner turmoil to wrest his fate from his hands. However, this fate..." the seer gestures at the broken tower card. "This fate will be a difficult one, and will bring with it many changes and challenges. The outcome is in your brother's hands."

[KingOfCowards]

Bertram will sign up for the archery contest.

[Keehnelf]

1:00pm

Archery
------------
Bertram
Lyran
Jonas


Wrestling
------------
Ghrym


2:30pm

High-wire
------------


Storytelling
------------
Zampari