Hyglak senses some dishonesty as well.
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Senketsu turns their head slightly as they study the man with their large amber eyes. The Wayang then taps their jaw as if uncomfortable with the situation, for a race prone to trickery, the Cavalier had never held much faith in lies and falsehoods as they weakened trust.
"How did he leave? This one saw no-one on travel back to Magnimar and we would not be here if the Tax collector had made their way back there. What sort of demands did he make?"
"He demanded the money from the townsfolk of course. Honestly, I’m not surprised to learn that. I’ve heard rumors that he lit out for Riddleport, in which case I fear the taxes are as good as gone. But the fact apparently remains that we still owe a payment. You strike me as much more trustworthy agents, frankly, but I’m afraid we don’t have the full payment available to pay the taxes again. I’ll extend to you the same offer I extended to Elias, though—enjoy the festival and tonight’s feast, stay in my home, and I’ll see what I can scrape together from what remains of the town’s funds to pay a least part of what we owe. Perhaps at a later date Magnimar might send you north to Riddleport to find out what became of that scoundrel.”
You again sense some dishonesty from the mayor.
"Alright alright. My interactions with the man were less than congenial. When I returned from the feast that very same day I caught the man raiding my liquor cabinet. So I gathered the funds at once and sent him on his way. I apologize for the deception. It must be pre-festival stress. I should go and prepare for the afternoon's festivities. Enjoy yourselves will you?" And the mayor walks away.
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Senketsu waves to the mayor as they leave, happy with the man's explanation of events, Senketsu hops off Yurei to allow their companion a brief respite from carrying the Wayang. The cavalier nods enthusiasticly towards Darius' suggestion.
"This one would enjoy celebration, though we should also find out more of Master Elias and his dealings, we must have a full report. The honoured Venture Captain said he was a trusted man in Magnimar."
Unsure what avenue to take next, Senketsu will continue their wander into town for inspiration and food.
Though there are snacks abound, more hearty fair is reserved for the feast to be held later tonight. It also seems that Ornigaard isn't the only child with a pet stirge. A number of folk have one as a pet as anyone else would have a dog. There are also a large assortment of games abound.
Villagers take turns leaping over a bonfire’s flames in what is explained as a purifiation ritual. Elders and children begin the ceremony as the fire builds, but as older boys and healthier villagers join in, the fire is fed to increase the height of the flames. The fire is 10 feet in diameter with 3-foot-high flames; jumpers must succeed at an Acrobatics check to clear it. Jumpers are allowed a 10-foot running start. Failure means damage from the flames.
Saul Lupescu, the town’s smith and trader, produces an aged wooden box containing six old, rusty starknives. While he prepares for the contest, he explains with reverence their signifigance as weapons carried by the village’s founder, Iola Kriegler. Up to eight contestants take turns throwing the six starknives at bales of hay at distances of 20, 60, and 100 feet, with the most sticks winning the contest.
Several nicely carved wooden cages are wheeled into the central competition area, each containing finely bred raven specimens. As a villager removes the canvas cover, the eight ravens within the cages immediately begin cawing aggressively at one another as if enraged. Raven fights, similar to rooster fights, have long been a popular pastime for the people of Ravenmoor, and these birds have been raised to be aggressive toward others of their kind. Villagers proudly display their finest specimens before pairing of the creatures in a tournament-style competition, with the owner and handler of the ultimate winner afforded an honored place at the feast table that evening.
Pairs of runners have their adjacent legs bound together with rope, and must run a 150-foot race against other similarly bound contestants to compete for bragging rights. Coordination is difficult, and entwined runners only get a single move action each round. The runners can move together at half speed (using the slowest runner’s speed) with no skill check, but moving at full speed requires each contestant to succeed at an Acrobatics check. The runners can move at double speed, but must both succeed at another Acrobatics check. If either runner fails any check by 5 or more, both runners fall prone. In order to rise, both contestants must make an Acrobatics check as a move action.
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Senketsu buys a snack from a cart and observes the festival with interest, human interaction had always fascinated the shadow creature and the sights, smells and sounds were an overwhelming delight. Looking at the games, the Wayang sighs at the athletic games, their short legs a problem here.
"This one will try Raven handling, Yurei will watch and not eat birds."
Hyglak declines playing games and decides to mingle. However it seems the villagers don't wish to talk so much and instead try to distract the Caydenite with food and some challenges of drinking.
You sense a few might be hiding something, but most seem to uneager to talk about a subject as loathsome as taxes which include tax collectors during a celebration like this.
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Senketsu staggers under the comically large, at least to them, breastplate and smiles to Marduk, wishing their team good fortune in battle. Wandering off to the Raven contest, th Wayang looks at the birds with a critical eye, making sure to pick a winner.
"Excuse me, this one would like to play your game, may I borrow a bird!"
Gratefuly taking the bird, Senketsu makes their way to the arena with soothing words to their newest companion, making sure Yurei does not try to eat them.
Senketsu is able to borrow a bird named Clawfoot.
It is close with many near knockouts for Clawfoot. Fortunately Senketsu's excellent animal coaching skills is able to secure many wins for his borrowed avian and thus the wayang is awarded a seat alongside the mayor at the feast as well as the bird's owner.
Though Marduk's balance isn't nearly as good as Darius' to the point of tripping up the both of them at one point, the pair is still able to cross the finish line first!
After the last raven fight ends, the villagers quickly erect a low fence of timbers around the central competition green while a pair of brawny villagers bring a squealing, sickly-looking pig into the enclosure. To the cheers of a growing crowd, the men slather the increasingly agitated pig liberally in slippery grease before tying the end of the rope around its neck to a post. This is the traditional greased pig chase and the villagers encourage you to enter. The rules are simple. Three contestants enter the ring and the pig is released from its rope. The contestants then scramble to be the first to catch the pig and pin it to the ground. It’s a filthy contest that the villagers enjoy more because of the sight of the contestants becoming caked with the foul smelling grease than anything else. The winner of the contest gets bragging rights and the choicest cut of the pig later during the feast.
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Senketsu admires the strength of their borrowed bird, Clawfoot and congratulates the owner on their shared victory,, glad to sit with them at the feast table this evening. Returning the cumbersome breastplate to Marduk the Wayang eyes the greased pig.
"This one will watch this next one, this one is likely to be trampled by eager wrestlers."
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Darius sees the pig and doesn't really feel like getting his clothes messed up, but he looks around at the villagers and sees how excited they are.
If we are to find out what has happened here it is better to make some friends. Come on Darius, get yourself messed up for a good cause!
Darius steps forwards when they ask for the next contestants. "I'll take a turn!"
Marduk, Darius, and Hyglak step into the makeshift enclosure. As soon as the three are ready, the villagers release the pig!
Unfortunately both Marduk and Darius fail to get their arms around the pig. It is very slippery from all the grease. They also notice that the pig is acting strange, like it is drugged or possibly poisoned. The pig nevertheless runs away from the pair and right into Hyglak!
Hyglak successfully grabs the pig as some of the grease has fallen off.
Marduk grabs a hold of both the pig and the Caydenite. Darius just watches what will happen next. The pig attempts to escape.
It wriggles free!
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Stood at the edge of the fence, Senketsu props themselves on a post to watch their teammates participation, laughing along with the others present when the mud and oil causes them to drop the pig and grab at each other.
"This one wonders why all Pathfinder missions cannot be this way!" The Wayang says to no-one in particular.
Darius fails to grab a hold of the pig but Marduk has much better luck.
Hyglak snatches the pig away from Marduk!
The pig attempts to escape from the Caydenite.
Hyglak is able to pin the pig before Marduk can take it away from him. The moment he does so however, the stress proves to be too much and the pig dies! Not only that, the death causes it to change! An additional pair of legs sprout from its body and its eyes turn pitch black while a number of flytraplike jaws sprout from its back. One of which snap out at Hyglak!
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Looking on at the fine spectacle, Senketsu cheers loudly as their new friend pins the pig down, winning the contest. The Wayang's cheer soon turns sour as the pig transforms into a monstrosity!
Jumping down from their fence post and into the pen, Senketsu orders Yurei to stay on guard in case of any other threat before moving through the mud, drawing their longsword as they go.