As Hrunndalf partakes of the feast and contributes to the narration, he tries to get a feeling for whether or not magical bolstering (by one's own means) would be considered cheating in the wrestling contests.
Melinda sits next Alaric during the feast. If her smile is a little more real to the people working the feast, she is still happily polite to everyone else. The picture of a happy wife, close to her mate.
Noticing that she doesn't actually partake in any of the food that is put before is easier to miss.
Zaiobe sits by them as well, the picture of ... something.
"Probably because that odious leech will have them punished if they displease us," Alaric says with disgust.
Mel picks up her head, looks over at one of the people. In Tien, "Is that true? Would Batsaikhar punish you if we don't want to be waited on?"
"Nid ydynt yn mynd i ddilyn ni yn ein ystafell?" Is the weak and very shaky reply, as she does her best not to set the palace on fire or surround herself with a barrier of winds.
"Rwy'n eithaf siwr na fyddant, ond os byddant yn ceisio byddaf yn gwahardd y drws," Shalelu says.
Shalelu ushers Liothonae and Jorun into a room and shuts the door firmly behind them.
Kalimac intends on participating in the Bareback Riding contest, and also in the Mounted Archery contest if he is allowed to participate in two games.
The rule of the evening seems to be that each guest participates in one game.
Mel picks up her head, looks over at one of the people. In Tien, "Is that true? Would Batsaikhar punish you if we don't want to be waited on?"
“我們是你要利用或辭退您認為合適的，夫人，” one of your attendants replies. “麻煩自己以外的任何我們可以為您提供什麼服務的關注。”
Kalimac intends on participating in the Bareback Riding contest, and also in the Mounted Archery contest if he is allowed to participate in two games.The rule of the evening seems to be that each guest participates in one game.
Melinda, however, does cheer for her friends. Even for Alaric, who really doesn't care if fired his crossbow in the wrong direction.
“我們是你要利用或辭退您認為合適的，夫人，” one of your attendants replies. “麻煩自己以外的任何我們可以為您提供什麼服務的關注。”
Mel eyes grow sad, concerned. "我不知道谁是你的主是用来娱乐的，但我们用来照顾自己。但如果你将负责我们的猪头的独立性，不关心我们。" She shrugs, "我们如果没有，我们不会成为人们。"
A gentle smile, "但我们是陌生人在这里。如果你能向我解释原因，以帮助了解这个地方的习俗和规则。这将是很大的帮助。好吗？"
We wouldn't be the people we are if it didn't.
But we are strangers here. If you could explain to me why, to help understand the custom and rules of this place. That would be of great help. Please?
The Prince listens politely to your tales of derring-do, but he seems far more attentive to the needs of Myriana during the feasting, regardless of her broad hints. When the games begin, however, his attention to the rest of you perks up considerably.
He scowls in response to Alaric's lack of enthusiasm, but then smiles broadly when Myriana scores a direct bulls-eye.
"Luck? Nonsense!" he says. "Even hitting such a target at all from a running horse requires consummate skill! A bulls-eye calls for a true artist with the bow! It was a marvelous shot, simply marvelous!"
He is also enthusiastic in his regard for Kalimac's riding skill. "Excellent, excellent! You and your mount move as one being! You are a master of riding! Such skill!"
Turning to his own men, he comments:
"Mungesa juaj e turpëron aftësisë dhe mua. Ju keni qenë i turpëruar dhe poshtëruar nga këta luftëtarë të vërtetë të tokave të largëta. A janë njerëzit e Hongal kaq i dobët dhe patetike? Unë mendoj se çështja ka marrë përgjigje në këtë ditë."
Turning to his own men, he comments:
"Mungesa juaj e turpëron aftësisë dhe mua. Ju keni qenë i turpëruar dhe poshtëruar nga këta luftëtarë të vërtetë të tokave të largëta. A janë njerëzit e Hongal kaq i dobët dhe patetike? Unë mendoj se çështja ka marrë përgjigje në këtë ditë."
Mel turns her face into Alaric's shoulder, most likely to hide the spark of anger in her eyes.
<This guy is an ass.> A pause. <Why the heck haven't they overthrown his pompous ass?>
Another pause, <I don't know if it would be better for Rhost or Hrunndalf to throw the wrestling challenge...>
<At least I know it's better for me to play the incompetent pregnant teen. Last thing these warriors need is for me to get lucky and pin the champion.> Discomfort at the entire situation heavy in her mind.
He is also enthusiastic in his regard for Kalimac's riding skill. "Excellent, excellent! You and your mount move as one being! You are a master of riding! Such skill!"
"Thank you," says Kalimac with a bow. Attatoq manages a wolfish version of a bow himself. "We have worked very hard to become so."
The feast, incidentally, is served with chopsticks, an implement almost completely unfamiliar to most of you. Ameiko and Ulf handle them skillfully, but they have clearly had some practice.
Mel eyes grow sad, concerned. "我不知道谁是你的主是用来娱乐的，但我们用来照顾自己。但如果你将负责我们的猪头的独立性，不关心我们。" She shrugs, "我们如果没有，我们不会成为人们。"
A gentle smile, "但我们是陌生人在这里。如果你能向我解释原因，以帮助了解这个地方的习俗和规则。这将是很大的帮助。好吗？"
“我會高興地向你解釋我們的古雅當地的習俗或傳統 ，夫人，” the boy replies with a deep bow.
“我會高興地向你解釋我們的古雅當地的習俗或傳統，夫人，” the boy replies with a deep bow.
Mel looks like the boy slapped her, "我做事情得罪你吗？" Her voice concerned and very young.
Mel turns her face into Alaric's shoulder, most likely to hide the spark of anger in her eyes.
Mel hugs him.
Mel looks like the boy slapped her, "我做事情得罪你吗？" Her voice concerned and very young.
“當然不是，夫人，” the boy says. “我肯定沒有你說你的謙虛服務員可能會導致犯罪。”
Kalimac attempts to use the chopsticks without totally making a fool of himself. He did get introduced to them about seven months ago, but didn't have a lot of luck with them at the time.
But now he seems to have a better hand at them.
“當然不是，夫人，” the boy says. “我肯定沒有你說你的謙虛服務員可能會導致犯罪。”
"我不是一个贵族。" Mel says quietly. Then before her frustration, Melinda takes a deep breath, utters a small word that is neither Taldane nor Hongal, and asks simply, "可以请你向我解释，我做错了什么？"
Can you please explain to me what I'm doing wrong?
"我不是一个贵族。" Mel says quietly. Then before her frustration, Melinda takes a deep breath, utters a small word that is neither Taldane nor Hongal, and asks simply, "可以请你向我解释，我做错了什么？"
“你做得沒有錯，夫人,” he replies.
"我不是一个贵族。" Mel says quietly. Then before her frustration, Melinda takes a deep breath, utters a small word that is neither Taldane nor Hongal, and asks simply, "可以请你向我解释，我做错了什么？"“你做得沒有錯，夫人,” he replies.
"This could take awhile," Alaric mutters to no one in particular.
“你做得沒有錯，夫人,” he replies.
Looking much calmer, Mel smiles at the boy. "两个问题，然后。你叫什么名字？你能向我解释为什么每个人都那么紧张，那么就在我们身边？"
Looking much calmer, Mel smiles at the boy. "两个问题，然后。你叫什么名字？你能向我解释为什么每个人都那么紧张，那么就在我们身边？"
“我的名字是,” he replies with a smile. “我相信，那簡直是我們渴望看到你的願望。”
“我的名字是,” he replies with a smile. “我相信，那簡直是我們渴望看到你的願望。”
It is very clear that while Mel does not understand, she has enough common sense to give up before she frustrates herself to the abyss and back. Mostly, anyway.
With a polite smile, "我的名字是梅林达。" And then her hand going down to Alaric's cheek, "这是阿拉里克。" Looking back at the boy, "会是太多的征收请您致电我们通过名称，而不是冠军吗？好吗？冠军带来了对我来说是非常糟糕的记忆。"
And then, in case that request will upset the servant, "在城市里，你会建议我们期待宝宝的事情吗？"
This is Alaric.
Would it be too much of an imposition to ask that you call us by name rather than titles? Please? Titles bring up a very bad memory for me.
Gansukh, where in the city would you recommend we look for baby things?
It is very clear that while Mel does not understand, she has enough common sense to give up before she frustrates herself to the abyss and back. Mostly, anyway.
With a polite smile, "我的名字是梅林达。" And then her hand going down to Alaric's cheek, "这是阿拉里克。" Looking back at the boy, "会是太多的征收请您致电我们通过名称，而不是冠军吗？好吗？冠军带来了对我来说是非常糟糕的记忆。"
“你可能會問我，您在您認為合適的任何方式解決，” he replies.
And then, in case that request will upset the servant, "在城市里，你会建议我们期待宝宝的事情吗？"
“我知道的地方！”我應作出安排，有你有陪同，只要你認為合適的呢？“
“我知道的地方！”我應作出安排，有你有陪同，只要你認為合適的呢？“
Mel smiles at Gansukh, sitting up slightly to look at Alaric. "Tomorrow? And the thing for Reta?"
Alaric nods at Mel's unvocalized question. "Tomorrow."
To Gansukh: "你應該知道，我們雙方共同出生。事實上，在我的國家，顯示這樣的拜將標誌著我執行." Alaric holds up a hand to cut off the inevitable bowing and scraping. "是的，沒錯。我知道。什麼是愚蠢和奇異的風俗。不幸的是，你的工作是要請一對夫婦野蠻人像我的妻子和我，這意味著把我們的怪異的習俗."
"Yes, yes. I know. What a silly and bizarre custom. Unfortunately, your job is to please a couple barbarians like my wife and I, which means putting up with our weird customs."
Hrunndalf decides to forgo the use of bolstering magic unless he sees any of the combattants do so in view of the public.
Hrunndalf decides to forgo the use of bolstering magic unless he sees any of the combatants do so in view of the public.
As he has seen no one else using performance-enhancing magic, Hrunndalf also forgoes the use of his spells.
Hrunndalf takes the initiative and grabs his opponent in a classic hold. But the brawny Tian-La man he faces manages to reverse the situation and take control of the struggle.
Then Hrunndalf attempts to regain the advantage, but loses his footing and must struggle to stay on his feet. However, his opponent is unable to use the circumstance to bring the Ulfen down.
Hrunndalf finds his feet again, and the situation remains a stalemate. The Hon-La wrestler has the advantage, but cannot quite manage to get the powerful Oracle pinned.
One final time, the Ulfen attempts to control the hold, but fails. And the Tian-La man at last captures Hrunndalf in a pin.
Hrunndalf has lost the match.
Rhost can handle the chopsticks sort of properly some of the time. He also periodically will stab a piece of food with them, or surreptitiously use his hands to put the food on the chopsticks.
He does attempt to eat at least a little of everything on offer.
Rhost opts for wrestling. As this is a friendly match, he does not Rage.
Rhost opts for wrestling. As this is a friendly match, he does not Rage.
Huk the wrestler turns to face his new opponent.
Huk moves before the slow-footed Rhost, and immediately captures him in a firm grip. But Rhost, undaunted, flexes his muscles and takes control.
Huk once again captures Rhost in a hold, trying to bear him to the earth. And Rhost once again reverse the situation.
Huk strains mightily against the mighty thews of the half-elven barbarian, but cannot escape his grasp. But although Rhost tries his hardest, he cannot pin the Hon-La wrestler.
Once again Huk attempts to seize control, and not only fails but comes close to rupturing something in the bargain. And then with a mighty crash Rhost pins Huk to the earth.
Rhost has won his match.
"Marvelous, most marvelous!" the Prince cries. "A gripping display of strength! You have muscles of oak! Just marvelous."
"Pra, shumë për kampion të madh," he then says to Huk. "Çfarë lloj kampioni humbet gjysmën e ndeshjeve të tij? Sinqerisht."
Alaric nods at Mel's unvocalized question. "Tomorrow."
To Gansukh: "你應該知道，我們雙方共同出生。事實上，在我的國家，顯示這樣的拜將標誌著我執行." Alaric holds up a hand to cut off the inevitable bowing and scraping. "是的，沒錯。我知道。什麼是愚蠢和奇異的風俗。不幸的是，你的工作是要請一對夫婦野蠻人像我的妻子和我，這意味著把我們的怪異的習俗."
“這的確是我莫大的榮 幸，這樣做，” Gansukh replies.
"Marvelous, most marvelous!" the Prince cries. "A gripping display of strength! You have muscles of oak! Just marvelous."
"Pra, shumë për kampion të madh," he then says to Huk. "Çfarë lloj kampioni humbet gjysmën e ndeshjeve të tij? Sinqerisht."
Mel looks up at the prince her eyes dark, something that has been nagging at her senses coming to full realization. And it depresses the hell out of her.
...but then smiles broadly when Myriana scores a direct bulls-eye.
"Luck? Nonsense!" he says. "Even hitting such a target at all from a running horse requires consummate skill! A bulls-eye calls for a true artist with the bow! It was a marvelous shot, simply marvelous!"
Myri's eyes find the ground as she noticeably blushes at the complements. Her last glance is for Buttersnips before leaving the grounds.
Turning to his own men, he comments:
"Mungesa juaj e turpëron aftësisë dhe mua. Ju keni qenë i turpëruar dhe poshtëruar nga këta luftëtarë të vërtetë të tokave të largëta. A janë njerëzit e Hongal kaq i dobët dhe patetike? Unë mendoj se çështja ka marrë përgjigje në këtë ditë."
"Thank you," says Kalimac with a bow. Attatoq manages a wolfish version of a bow himself. "We have worked very hard to become so."
Myri smiles happily at Kalimac and Attatoq.
The feast, incidentally, is served with chopsticks, an implement almost completely unfamiliar to most of you. Ameiko and Ulf handle them skillfully, but they have clearly had some practice.
post I want to reference
but here's a new dex roll:
...One final time, the Ulfen attempts to control the hold, but fails. And the Tian-La man at last captures Hrunndalf in a pin.
Hrunndalf has lost the match.
Myri smiles supportively at Hrunndalf and in congratulations for the champion.
...Once again Huk attempts to seize control, and not only fails but comes close to rupturing something in the bargain. And then with a mighty crash Rhost pins Huk to the earth.
Rhost has won his match.
Myri applauds happily for Rhost.
"Marvelous, most marvelous!" the Prince cries. "A gripping display of strength! You have muscles of oak! Just marvelous."
"Pra, shumë për kampion të madh," he then says to Huk. "Çfarë lloj kampioni humbet gjysmën e ndeshjeve të tij? Sinqerisht."
"Ma arvan, et meil peol igal õhtul järgmiseks. See võib olla kas päevasel asi või hilisõhtul asi."
("I think we've got feasts every night for the next five. This may need to be either a daytime thing or a late-night thing.")
An assortment of emotions fight their way across Kalimac's face. (When he's not ruling his face to only allow it to say what he wants it to say, he apparently has a very expressive face. Only those closest to him ever get to see it, though.) Eagerness to go on a date with Ameiko RIGHT NOW; realization that there really isn't time if they're to attend the feast tonight (and disappointment with that); a sudden urge to say "screw it" and play hookey from the feast with Ameiko and to hell with the consequences; a creepy feeling as he realizes that whenever and wherever they go they will have to deal with the hordes; and a determination that they will have their date and let nothing spoil it.
"Noh, kuna era-, intiimne õhtusöök on kõne allagi, kuidas oleks hea lõunasöögi järgnevad mõned sisseostude tegemine? Minu rahakott on täis, ja ma nägin päris asju nagu tegime meie tee läbi Näitemüük, et palee," he says.
("Well, since a private, intimate dinner is out of the question, how about a fine luncheon followed by some shopping? My pockets are jingling, and I saw some pretty things as we wended our way through the bazaar to the palace.")
"Rwy'n eithaf siwr na fyddant, ond os byddant yn ceisio byddaf yn gwahardd y drws," Shalelu says.
Shalelu ushers Liothonae and Jorun into a room and shuts the door firmly behind them.
One you are away from the crowd, Shalelu asks, "How can I help?"
"This is good." She whispers, seeking refuge in Shae's arms, once the doors are closed and the over attentive servants are locked out.
It takes her long minutes to pull herself together enough to look around the room, to slowly untangle herself from Shae, to check on Jorun. "I'm very sorry I l't myself get overwhelmed instead 'a protecting ye." She says to him, very quietly, ashamed of her weaknesses. "Are ye alright?" She asks, possibly even quieter. She doesn't move very far from Shae. Her whole stature is one of fragility. Like a harsh word might shatter her. She could have killed dozens of those servants in one pass, but knowing they feared not serving - leaving her alone, that made her pause, made her second guess herself, they were just like her, afraid, terrified. So she didn't lash out at them, and not lashing out meant the only other reaction she knew took over, she retreated.
Ride Roll (untrained, no bonuses or minuses) if cannot take a 10
Shooting Arrows (no magic enhancements included) (you said -8 if don't have feat to ride and shoot at same time)
Dex for chopsticks, hopefully after badgering Ulf into showing his frail great grandmother how to eat with them
She would sit next to Shae and close by Jorun if it can at all be arranged.
"See kõlab kaunis," she says. "Või nii hea, kui me võib saada siin nagunii. Kas keskpäeval tööta?"
("That sounds lovely. Or as good as we're likely to get here, anyway. Does noon work for you?")
"I'll ... be OK, I think," Jorun says slowly. "It's, it's weird being ... I mean, I feel like I should be scared like they are, but no one's going to punish me if I'm not, and they're not going to get anything out of it if I am."
Liothonae enters the archery competition, and murmurs quietly in the ear of the horse she is to ride for a little while before mounting.
When she finally does, she rides the horse flawlessly and executes a perfect shot that strikes directly in the bullseye, immediately next to Myriana's. Their arrows are the only two to strike the precise center this whole evening.
"A superb shot!" cries the delighted Prince. "I see the reputation the elves have for unsurpassed archery has not been exaggerated! If anything, the rumors fail to live up to the reality!"
"Skills such as the ones you have all exhibited tonight deserve acknowledgment. Fetch the prizes for the evening!" the Prince continues. He claps his hands and servants bring them forth. "I think there can be no question that you have won the day, so these humble and insufficient tokens of my admiration are yours."
You have been presented with a masterwork composite shortbow, an Efficient Quiver, and ten +1 arrows. It is made clear that the should weapons of a smaller size or a different strength rating be desired, fetching the proper replacement would be the matter of an instant.
Hrunndalf gives Huk a hearty clap on the back and congratulates him on his fair victory with a wide grin. He contents himself with watching for the rest of the evening's games, and cheering for his competing friends.
The Prince graciously ignores the lack of skill demonstrated by most of you with chopsticks, and so do all of the other attendees. In fact, the other attendees have done their best to react in the exact same way the Prince reacts throughout the entire evening, so many admiring glances have been cast your way.
However you respond to the prize given to you, eventually the feast winds down and, finally, late in the night, ends.
A night's rest on the goosedown beds will bring you to the ...
Whenever you get up, eager attendants will be crowded outside your door to take you anywhere you might wish to go and help you in any way you might wish.
Oddly, considering the conversation of the previous day, Gansukh does not appear to be among the attendants waiting for Alaric and Melinda.