"Why do you stay, if no one sees you? And you are perceptive, my ancestors left here many lifetimes ago and we have returned only in a time of great need."
Ayodhan leans closer to make it more difficult to be overheard as he explains.
"There's a disused mining tunnel and a Lashunta named Hon-Zon is putting together a plan to get people out of the city through it in mass quantities in about," Ayodhan counts quickly, "just under a month from now at this point. I've been using the access the Sovyrians have granted upon me to provide the occasional minor distraction to allow some of the others working with him to move with less scrutiny. It's not exactly overthrowing the government, but it helps knowing I'm doing something.
"I'm sure he would appreciate all the help he can get, and I can try to put you in contact with him. He has the ability to contact others directly from mind to mind, so I might be able to accomplish this by just knowing your name, but I'm not sure. Since they put you in the spires, I should have an easy time finding you if necessary if you can tell me where it is they've put you up. I'm Ayodhan, by the way."
Theodemar blushes with embarrassment.
"Where are my manners? My name is Theodemar, of the Balestra line. I'm a practitioner of the arcane, and I assure you I was raised more than well enough to know to introduce myself to kindly strangers."
He smiles, and continues.
"I was at that meeting, though I was just told in passing by someone who was barely an acquaintance from the old world. I would greatly desire to speak with Hon-Zon, if you could arrange that. Count me in.
"It is nice to make your acquaintance Ayodhan. It truly is."
"It's nice to meet you as well, Theodemar, and perhaps this meeting is fortuitous for both of us. Before the evacuation I had been attempting to learn arcane magic in addition to the divine, but my tutors stopped teaching me to prepare to leave the world behind. If you would be alright with it, I'd appreciate the opportunity to try practicing with you occasionally. I have a beginner's spellbook, but since the arrival I haven't set aside much time to look at it, what with things being the way they are."
Raina, given her "freedom" in a manner speaking decides to look more thoroughly about her master's quarters, in an attempt to better understand them.
She doesn't go snooping into containers or other such places, but just tries to use the visible items to garner more about her master.
After spending 30 or so minutes gaining more insight, Raina heads to the library, and reads. She has often found peace while reading, everything from history to the magical arcane creatures found outside Kyonin Forest.
She is willing to perform any fortune reading to anyone interested at the library, or while traveling from her room. She completely botches the telling, as she gets the cards mixed up and tells of impending doom about to befall the person she is reading.
The day of the festival you are again given your "freedom" for the day. It is tradition to hold contests during such festivals, and the Sovyrians have allowed Auramesties to hold specific contests to help him choose a capable team to scout beyond the walls for a suitable settlement.
The contests are as follows
- Archery
- Tracking
- Strength
- Speed
- Athletics
- Knowledge
- Martial Skill
- Arcane
- Healing
Raina is both puzzled and intrigued at the knowledge she has found. She is absorbed for a few moments, when she hears a vase crash to the floor. She hurriedly tries to put everything back the way it was to not arouse suspicion.
Vesryn looks around for a way in.
The arrival of a Sovyrian seems to be a likely end to his conversation with Theodemar, so Ayodhan returns his attention to the crowd that had been gathering. It was not really Ayodhan's intent to gather such a throng, but it's also not really a surprise. With so many feeling downtrodden, anyone offering some sort of hope would probably find a similar reaction. It makes him feel heroic, in a way, which helps to offset the difficulty he has with accepting the small donation. He normally wouldn't have a problem with donations in a temple setting, but he's essentially freelancing today, and while he doesn't want to seem like he's doing this for the wrong reasons, he also doesn't want to insult their generosity.
"I cannot say for certain what tomorrow will bring," he says, addressing his following, "but I promise that I will return if able. Desna's love belongs to everyone, regardless of the class or station they've been assigned, and is too big to be contained by a structure like a temple, or even the spires. In the mean time, may the Song of the Spheres send you pleasant dreams in which you can be free and unfettered, as should be your right in the waking world, too!"
"I must admit I do not know much about your kind. But you are the second person in as many days to speak of this blight, perhaps you could enlighten me about it, since we are chatting anyway. I will stay out here so that your mold does not affect me."
He tries not to appear to be impacted by the mind speaking but is clearly mildly unnerved by it.
Drahzar steps forward to participate in the tracking challenge.
Vesryn clears the tunnel enough to get through. He then does what he can to conceal the entrance; this might be quite useful!
In and around his preaching over the next few days, Ayodhan uses his constant wandering to search for the Lashunta, Hon-Zon, to try to set up a meeting to bring Theodemar into the plan. His first attempt is to try thinking at him, since Hon-Zon definitely showed telepathic powers, but since he has no idea if it works both ways, he'll also look on foot as he goes about his business. He hopes Densa will guide him to the right place, since he doesn't want to call undue attention to his attempt to find him, and will play it off as a chance meeting if it happens.
--------------------------------
At the festival there are a number of contests that Ayodhan thinks would be fun to try and within his skill set: Archery, Speed, Knowledge and Healing. Even if he's only supposed to enter one, he'll try to enter all of those anyway. Following stodgy rules isn't one of the contests, after all, nor is it exactly in his wheelhouse. Knowing it lasts for an hour, he'll cast longstrider on himself a good ten minutes in advance of the speed contest to make his normally quick pace even better. Overall, he's looking forward to some light diversion, and is trying not to think about the concurrent event the festival is celebrating. There's nothing he could do about it, anyway.
Vesryn will also enter in to several. Archery, Strength, Tracking, Athletics and Martial Skill. If he can only do one, he will choose Martial Skill. If he sees any from the meeting with the Lashunta, Vesryn will acknowledge them and see if they have any further information.
"Ayodhan, I would be more than glad to assist with that..."
Theodemar's voice trails off as he is directly spoken to by a Sovyrian woman. He nods to Ayodhan, and quickly follows the woman.
"Miss, miss! Please wait for me!"
He runs after her, struggling to keep up.
"What did you need?" he says, once he has caught up. "I'm glad to be of service.
Theodamar signs up for the display of Arcane power, and if possible, the Archery contest.
Raina, looks around for a cloth of some sort, to give the impression that she is simply trying to keep this tidy for her master.
The next day, she looks at the various competitions. While she has never been a competitive person, she tries her knack of knowledge.
The posted rules make it clear that with the exception of the Arcane challenge, no magic will be allowed.
•Archery-Vesryn, Ayrodhan,
•Tracking-Drahzar, Vesyrn
•Strength-Vesryn
•Speed-Ayrodhan
•Athletics-Vesryn
•Knowledge-Ayrodhan, Raina
•Martial Skill-Vesyrn
•Arcane-Theodemar
•Healing-Aryodhan
Vesryn goes through a series of stretches, limbering up. He makes sure his gear is ready to go as well.
Elrinides would enter the Athletics and Arcane competitions.
•Archery-Vesryn, Ayrodhan,
•Tracking-Drahzar, Vesyrn
•Strength-Vesryn
•Speed-Ayrodhan, Vesryn
•Athletics-Vesryn,Elrinides
•Knowledge-Ayrodhan, Raina
•Martial Skill-Vesyrn
•Arcane-Theodemar,Elrinides
•Healing-Aryodhan
Your tournament is separate from the Sovyrians, but there is a large gathering where all elves are welcomed and a very beautiful female elf is going to address the crowd. There are no non-elves present, they know better than to interrupt an elven holiday.
"Welcome kin, as you know today marks a significant event. For some of you this was life changing and caused you to return to us, for some this is yet another example of the great trials that forge us into the people we are today. Our four greatest kin, Alseta, Ketephys, Yuelral, Findeladlara, ascended to greatness after one such trial. May these holy protectors bless you today."
Those of you that sought out temples did not see any to the one she called Alseta.
Ayodhan maintains a polite exterior, though he still harbors some feelings of resentment at the fact that the celebrations are segregated. He's so involved with his own thoughts on the matter that he's not really paying any attention to the blessing.
He reluctantly dismisses his longstrier spell when he finds the use of magic is forbidden in the challenge. He thinks any contest should be accomplished with all the skills of the participants at their disposal, but he thinks that being caught "cheating" would only hurt his attempts to minister to the people. Besides, with the festival being segregated the way it is, he'd only be harming his own kin, who he's been trying to help.
Assuming that the event schedule allows, Ayodhan goes to the ones he won't enter to spectate.
Drahzar should also be on the list for knowledge.
He understands why the contest is separated but at this point would like nothing more than to embarrass some native lordlings who think they are incredibly skilled.
Theodemar sighs with frustration when he finds out that the events are separated. That said, he will still participate, in hopes of putting on a good showing.
•Archery-Vesryn, Ayrodhan,
•Tracking-Drahzar, Vesyrn
•Strength-Vesryn
•Speed-Ayrodhan, Vesryn
•Athletics-Vesryn,Elrinides
•Knowledge-Ayrodhan, Raina, Drahzar
•Martial Skill-Vesyrn
•Arcane-Theodemar,Elrinides
•Healing-Aryodhan
You all sign up at your appropriate booths. The contest will have several rounds, each more difficult than the last. The first round is worth one point. The second round two, ect...
•Archery- A few others have the skill to challenge you, one in particular you recognize as the first ranger of his majesty's royal guard.
•Tracking A very old female elf seems to be very good at these.
A young but perceptive elf seems to be doing well also
•Strength Two elves that look related are doing well in this contest.
•Speed A tall female is beating most of the competition
•Athletics Three other contestants are matching your abilities. Two female, one male, all of prestigious houses of Kyonin descent.
•Knowledge
An older lorekeeper, who could be a judge by all rights, has decided to throw his hat in the ring and is doing very well.
•Martial Skill It seems the Kyonin elves are itching for a fight and this contest has drawn the most people. Many get eliminated quickly, but the ones that remain are competent.
•Arcane Several casters have come out today. One witch is particularly good at casting under pressure.
•Healing
An old motherly elf woman is very good at this
Drahzar starts off ok in the tracking challenge but is stumped by the knowledge challenge.
Theodemar makes a decent showing in his arcane abilities.
Ayodhan acquits himself well in the Archery and Healing contests, but has more difficulty than he'd expect in the one contest he thought he'd be best at. The other one he entered, the knowledge competition, seems to be based entirely on things he never cared to learn.
Elrinides Enters the Competitions not caring if he wins or loses... He just doesn't want to look silly in front of all his kinfolk.
I am so sorry. I was just trying to keep things tidy and clean. I know how you like things tidy and clean is all. Just trying to be helpful is all, as she has a hard time making eye contact.
Round 1
Ayodhan-21
Vesryn-18
24
17
26
The young ranger that had the lowest score bows out of the competition.
The first ranger remains with one other, a female elf fighter that has gained 1 point for besting that round.
For the next round you are to fire against a strong wind.
Vesyrn- 14
Drahzar-16
25
18
Vesyrn and Drahzar do well, but are unable to best their competitors. The old female elf bows out of the competition as she is tired and just wanted to see if she still had it. She grants her point for the round to the winner of the next round.
The next round has you searching for a judge's pet. A squirrel like creature that resides in a nearby tree you are told. The tracks are a day old.
Vesyrn-24
22
6
Vesyrn bests his competitors with his amazing strength and gains 1 point for the round. None of the competitors drop out as they are determined to win the next round.
In the next round you are told to throw the rock you just lifted as far as you can.
Ayodhan 9
Tall female elf 21
The tall female elf easily beats you both. This next test is a bit more complex and requires you to run a more difficult track with many turns.
Elrinides 20
Vesyrn 21
22
17
15
It was a close race to climb to the top, but neither of you won that round. The elf with the lowest score injured themselves and bows out. The next test is a bit different. There are a series of rings over a muddy patch of ground you must jump and swing your body using the rings to avoid falling. The rings are slippery *You must have acrobatics to continue to the next round.
27
Raina 14
Drahzar 9
The old elf looks disappointed that his opponents did so poorly in the category of his peoples own history and makes his opinion known. The judge now asks about the specific differences between a Oak tree and a fur tree.
17
10
22
Vesyrn -26
Vesyrn secures the first round point in the martial contest. The lowest scoring opponent drops out. The next round has you blind-folded and are given a dangling target to hit with a stick.
25
14
11
Theodemar-18
Elinides-21
The old witch is impressed with Theodemar and Elinides and decides to sit out the rest of the competition to watch them compete. She will grant her first round point to the winner of the next round.
The lowest scoring elf drops out. The next test requires you to guess the spell the judge is casting. Those who do it the fastest wins
21
8
Ayodhan 23
Ayodhan impressed the judges with his knowledge of healing and secures the first round point. The old motherly elf remains, the other elf drops out. The judge channels energy and heals the remaining miners.
The next challenge asks you to identify a poison based on symptoms told.
Survival
Knowledge
Drahzar is much happier with his efforts in the second round.
Athletics
Arcane