You find yourselves in the friendly, for The Shackles, town of Lilywhite and discover there is a celebration in full swing. It is impossible to avoid the festivities and you find yourself drawn out onto the streets, either joining in the fun, or unable to get any piece because of it and resigning yourself to.
Serving as a refuge for followers of Cayden Cailean, the town is known for being a bit less cutthroat than most other settlements in the Shackles, and because of this it often attracts those just starting out in their buccaneering careers. Lilywhite has avoided being sacked by ruthless captains who might take the town for an easy mark thanks
to a well-known myth: any captain who pillages the town disappears, along with her ship and crew, never to be seen again.
The town curves along the shoreline of Motaku Isle, spreading across bridges to a few small islands sitting in the deep-blue bay. Small, well-made wooden buildings ring the harbor. Festive flower and palm-frond garlands hang from various buildings, bridges, and statues. Vessels of varying shapes and sizes jam nearly all the town’s long piers, and the great number of ocean-going ships lying at anchor render the outer harbor nearly impassible. Throngs of revelers, many wearing masks, carouse through the town while singing and drinking from frothing tankards.
This 25 years-old Half-Orc does make an impression. A pair of formidable tusks protrude from his face, and his greenish muscles bulge below the simple sailor clothes he wears. He smells, salty, like sweat, but in fact there is something, nice, about his smell. He smells like food. Tasty food.
He walks while singing and old song, but changing the lyrics, as usual, to match the situation.
"When I was born, my mother cried for mercy,
Way haul away, we'll haul away Joe
She send me out to sea, and I never learn to cursey,
Way haul away, we'll haul away Joe"
He looks for the food stands, making disgust faces at the stuff they sell.
"Damn the barnacles! Thrash! Only Thrash!"
He looks for a group playing dice, so he can gamble a little. As he don't have much cash, he proposes to bet a potion.
"Made it myself. No arrow will hit you if you drink it. By Gozreh I swear!"
If they accept his potion, will sit in the circle, licking his tusks and looking at them all menacingly. He approaches his face to the smallest of them, making his greenish flat nose touch his, while growling.
"Are you cheaters?"
He gets a set of dice from his bag, and prepares to play.
"These babies never let me down. You will see!"
Serrena smiled when the town came into view as the ship - 'The Dainty Ox' finally rounded the headland that had previously obscured its view. She'd been aboard since Port Peril, where she's been laying low for several weeks, having jumped ship after yet another voyage aboard the 'The Fury' had ended in unprofitable disappointment. She had, at least, managed to part the ship's idiot captain - an unprincipled man of little talent and less sense, of a few of his prized possessions. She hadn't thought the fool would be so persistent in his search for her, and the weeks in the town had been filled with tedium as she waited for a likely-looking ship to arrive to take her away from the stinking cesspit. Eventually she'd become so board that even The Ox had looked like a better option, and she's snuck aboard only revealing herself and paying her passage once Port Peril had been a thin blur in the distance. As the ship docked she grabbed her gear and nimbly leapt over the rails, not waiting for the gangplank to be lowered in her readiness to explore a new town - one she'd never visited before, despite hearing about its attractions many times before - Lilywhite. Hauling her kit to her shoulder, she moved into the town, searching for an inn to leave her bag - she could afford somewhere once for a change, so she needn't worry too much about her possessions. She did, after all, carry everything that was really important on her person anyway.
Stopping outside the inn where she had left her bag, Serenna glanced around, keen to take in the town's sites and grinning in pleasure that she had been lucky enough to find the settlement in the throws of celebrating some kind of festival. Hearing the sound of music somewhere to the north, she set off in that direction. It was time to have some fun!
The handsome body of a 20 year old, his chest puffed out as he walks proudly, his muscled arm gently holding the waist of a young girl dressed in flighty clothes, showing her naked stomach and teasingly showing the length of her shapely legs. Around the woman's neck is a necklace, silver, yellow and black, with the sign of the wasp. They move towards the festivities in Lilywhite, through the throng of people, the sounds of the lute and song. They smile and laugh in each others company, pointing to the wares being sold in the hastily erected colourful market stalls making a profit from the many visitors at this time of year.
They reach a large house, surrounded by protectors of the wasp and the flagon, several beautiful women and men also share that same wasp like necklace. Arven takes his arm from around the woman's waist, "Let us have more fun together on my next visit, I will remember your soft and warm embrace, Calugri." The woman smiles sweetly up the man, as their lips meet in a passionate kiss, the tip of her fingernail running down his well defined chest to his stomach, just catching the inside top of his breeches as she pulls away. Arven smiles and pulls some coin from his purse, flicking a gold piece in the air, as he says, "And this one is not for 'The Lady in the Room', but for your sweet tasting lips to enjoy." They smile at each other before she turns and starts towards the large house, an exotic type Inn named 'The Unquenchable Thirst'. Arven cannot resist one last pat on her perfectly formed bottom as she walks off.
If my luck is in as it was with Calugri, then perhaps I can find enough gold to spend another night in her warm body. he smiles wistfully, and with a jaunty step walks back into the maelstrom of the street, a permanent smile of the man who has been lucky in lust. If his luck would hold, then a game of chance or skill would be just the ticket. He heads off towards the main tavern, where it is said Cayden Cailean once drank, though as far as Arven had heard, Cayden Cailean had drunk in every Tavern of the Shackles, he and Besmara must have sailed forever and a day in these fine seas, drinking, feasting and borrowing gold from those who have too much. It was indeed a good day to be celebrating, and Arven was about to join these festivities wholeheartedly, with gusto and full of joy and happiness.
So to the town's main tavern, 'Cailean's Keg', for here would be many games of chance to play. More especially there would be games of ale, drinking games and games of strength, not least of all those that allowed a bet or two on the outcome. The world is at my feet, and I will make the most of it. At this time of the festivities, the stone house of 'Cailean's Keg' spread out into the street, with extra trestles as makeshift bars. Arven spends a coin on a mug of ale and pushes his way to the arm wrestling table, where bets are taken on who will win. Though in this game the strongest does not always win, for here, the two arms are joined, before a flagon of ale is put on the table by each competitor. At the referees word, the two competitors must drink the flagon of ale before they can start to push with their hands. The first to finish the ale, will have Cailean's blessing and be able to push first and often win the fight.
The crowd, with frothy beer swinging in mugs from side to side, cheer on their favourite, "Black Jakce! Black Jakce!" is shouted at the oldish man with the long black curly hair, tied back in a tail, over a scarred and scowling pit marked face. His white/grey sleeves rolled up to his bulging arms, his eyes glazed with sweat dripping down into them, making him blink constantly. He slurs his speech as he says "Readyyyy, myshelf." Against him is a small whippet of a man, sinewy but strong of arm. His eyes are a cold steele blue, his brown hair dirty and matted. A yellow pall to his skin and pointed nose, makes him look quite sickly, though his determination is there for all to see. "C'mon Drune the Rat, show 'im! Beat tha' bully!" Arven studies both, and puts a few gold pieces on the outcome, "Easy come...Easy go" he laughs to himself.
Perched atop of the mast of the Dainty Ox, Lhinneth has spent most of the morning watching the coast of Motaku Isle emerge from the horizon and become gradually larger and sharper over the past few hours. Home she simply thinks. It has been 5... almost 6 years. From her vantage point, she watches the stowaway take a long jump over the railings and onto the jetty before the gangplank is even lowered – truly, she could swear there were still at least 10 feet of water between the bulkhead and the pier. Show-off.
The short tattooed girl wasn't really a stowaway, and Lhinneth knows it. After all, she has paid for the voyage like she did, and in the meantime, she has given the sailors someone else to leer at – something the half-elf has welcomed with relief as well as a slight pang of jealousy. Not that I could blame them. I wonder why she just snuck onboard is she had the coin. Fleeing from someone or something, most likely. The salty wind is blowing on her face, and with it, the smells and fragrances that announce a sailor his voyage has ended. Grass. Animals. People. Bakeries. Liquors. Mostly liquors. Her unusual position reminds her of her early days aboard the Flowered Gambit, working as a rigger. She feels a pang of nostalgia as she lets her mind wander for a while, and before she even realizes it, she finds her hand clenching the closest rope. The next moment, she's falling freely into the air.
Her muscle memory quickly kicks into gear. One, two, three swings and a couple of somersaults later, her feet once again feel the familiar sensation of steady ground beneath them. Maybe I'm a bit of a show-off, too she admits to herself as she merrily hurls herself into Lilywhite's crowded streets. She passes in front of a powerfully-built half orc wagering a potion in a game of dice who quickly captivates her attention. Arrows he says? Suddenly, the thought makes a long-forgotten ache in her left shoulder start throbbing once again: the lucky shot of Chelish crossbowman striking her in mid air as she was swinging from ship to ship. And though the crossbowman was not quite as lucky (for it appeared neither Hell nor Hell's puppet states have such fury as a woman scorned), she distinctly remembers cursing the names of gods she could swear she didn't even know existed before the ship's surgeon started removing the arrow from between flesh and bone. I can definitely use something against arrows she concludes, squatting down with the circle of gamblers.
The dice roll, and Lhinneth observes. Betting against the barrel-chested half-orc... that wouldn't be a smart course of action, she concludes. She casts a knowing glance at him before standing up once again and going her own way. "Brains as well as brawn huh?" she whispers in his ear, smiling. "Rob those fools blind, for Besmara favours the bold and the cunning."
To a woman with no real destination, no street is really preferable to the other, so she lets the flow of people guide her. Eventually, it seems every path sooner or later converges on the town's tavern, where a bunch of people have congregated to bet on a most unusual arm-wrestling competition. And yet, it's not the grunting and panting burly men at the tables who catch her eye. It is a bull of man, easily as big the half-orc yet taller and leaner, standing there among the wagerers, his ragged pantaloons doing very little to conceal his impressively muscular physique. An idea starts taking shape in Lhinneth's mind. Smiling mischievously, she approaches the table and puts an arm around the tall Mwangi's waist.
"I know, in this city of landlubbers you couldn't find a decent sailor even if you could combine three of them together. Look at their arms. I bet they couldn't even pull a hawser with those. Yes, my friend is talking about you" she turns and points her finger towards a stout-looking middle-aged man who seems to be on a winning streak. "He just said a wet kobold could take you on and win. A wet kobold could take all of you on and win. He said he'd challenge you, but you're too afraid, aren't you? Besides, he'd probably rip your arm off" she scoffs.
"Come on, back me up" she whispers. "We'll split profits. Honest word of an honest pirate."
Look, how the fair winds bow today. I am blessed by Gozreh himself to send such fair maidens to my side. She says such sweet words, it could be the Sirens that call, but not here in Lilywhite, tis the blessings of the gods. Arven looks down on a picture of loveliness that grasps him round the waist. He pulls her to him with his free arm, a twinkle in his eye and broad smile on his face. "Well, me lovely, let Arven double your money then and take his rewards from those ruby red lips." He kisses her low and hard on her lips, waves his mug of ale high in the air, and says loudly, "Your time has come old timer, by Cailean's strength, I'll take you on."
He places his 10gp entrance fee on a beer soaked table, where a young man wearing a brown leather apron puts the money to the side. "Your weapons first, then your name?" he says matter of factly, the only serious tones Arven has heard today. "You get them back after your bout, but this way it saves the bloodshed, when the arguments get heated." He looks Arven in the eye, but the big man smiles, "OK, me name is Arven, tis just for fun and for the favors of that young girl there." he says as he winks at suggestively at the half-elf. "And I don't even know her name. But if I win, maybe we shall find some rare and tasty morsels of food, before I taste the rarest and most exquisite taste of all, the sweat of a beautiful woman. " he laughs heartily and joins the queue of contestants, waiting for his name to be called.
It seemed forever, but was in reality several tens of seconds before a gruff name called, "Arven the lovesick to the table" Arven's teeth showed through in his smile as he sat and got ready for the arm wrestling across from his opponent. A flagon of brown sweet smelling foaming ale is placed by his left hand. He turns back to the pretty lass, "For you my love!" and turns back ready for the green handkerchief to drop and the contest to start....
Serenna wanders through the crowds towards the music, stopping briefly to buy a skewer of some type of roasted fish from a woman cooking over a low oven of glowing coals. Continuing onwards through the throng she comes to an open square, where a veritable hoard of revellers dance to the jaunty tune being played by several musicians of intermediate skill. Grinning to herself, she wanders over to a shop-stall selling green bottles of white wine - undoubtably liberated from some fat merchantman, and hands over a few coins in return for one of them. Leaning back against a wall she takes a few swigs from her bottle as she watches the dancers before being drawn towards a tavern from which come the cries of men and women betting on some kind of contest. As she enters she hears the cry "Arven the lovesick to the table" and she sees a tall, well-built, man make his way to the table, temporarily parting ways with the tall, and very attractive, half-elf with whom she had shared the voyage from Port Peril aboard The Dainty Ox. Now she's the type to know where to lay a bet Serenna thinks to herself, making her way over to join the other woman in placing a bet. "Well you've found something fun to play with rather quickly, haven't you." she says to the pretty girl, nodding over at Arven and taking another swig from her bottle before offering it to Lhinneth.
The oldest man at the table chuckles, giving Salty and the dice each a long look over, "Aye, I'll just bet they never let you down, but I won't be bettin' on those dice friend you'll be using mine same as everyone else. Feel free to try a few practice rolls before hand so you can see they aren't as "lucky" as yours."
The game goes well and over the course of an hour spent swilling ale and rolling dice Salty proves as lucky with the new dice as he hoped to be with his old. When the old man finally looses a large pot downs the contents of his tankard and exclaims, "Aiyeeeeee! I give, I give! We have all lost enough money to Salty here I think! You must have Cayden's eye today my friend, spent it well on wine, women, and putting wine in women!"
As his new companions vacate the table, staggering away to enjoy cheaper entertainments Salty takes back his potion and two hundred shiny new gold pieces.
The contest is a close one with both men's ale vanishing in a flash and a long slurp of suds, but Drune looses a moment to Jakce who slams his tankard down first. The crowd bellows encouragement and insults as sinew matches sinew and the two men's faces redden and contort as they strain mightily. Eventually Jakce begins to gain an advantage and he lets out a roar looking up to the crowd, in that instant Drune releases his pressure this hand descending almost to the tabletop and reverses; Surprised Black Jakce attempts to rally, but is too off balance and soon his hand inches down to the tabletop.
There are several ensuing bouts which Arven places coin upon, but after nearly an hour he is down 15gp and decides to call it a day with the arm wrestling.
Salty wide smile show the base of his tusks, gleaming in the sun.
"My pleasure to game with you, old man! If we cross paths again, I will cook for you!"
He moves to find something else, and stops to see Arven. He also sees the woman, and smiles at them, a smile that would cause less brave woman to faint, in its hideousness.
Too bad Salty doesn't know that.
Just as Arven is about to quit he is approached by the exotic beauty who deftly tweaks the pride of the sozzled contestants earning him an instant place at the table and the crowds attention - if not their approval.
Arven finds himself facing off against a one eyed brawny half orc covered in puckered burn marks, who the crowds chanting identifies as Eyeless Zou, "Zou, Zou, you know how, bleeding rip his arm off now!" One particularly vocal group chant slamming their tankards down upon a nearby table to lend themselves a crude beat.
Zoe grins hugely adjusting the pearl held in his empty eye socket by a net of crude stitches. As they begin the half orc chokes momentarily on his ale, allowing Arven to force his arm down before he can finish. For a moment the half orc's arms bulges and twists with effort and Arven's progress is halted and just barely reversed, but then the undine finds a reserve of strength and surges back gaining momentum and slamming his opponents fist down!
Lhinneth's well chosen bets net her 120gp, and Arven receives 20gp back as well as a slap on the back from Eyeless Zou, "You is doing well friend Arven, take a gift for besting Zou - it is a rare thing an deserves to be rewarded!" Reaching into his eye socket Zou wrenches the pearl free and hands it to Arven with a grin, "Make a gift of it to the woman, not the finest fruit of the seas, to be sure, but well won!"
Watching from the side Serenna receives a healthy return for her bet doubling her money to net 90gp.
There is a roar from just outside the tavern and as one the patrons stream outside forcing everyone along with them. Salty to cannot help, but be forced towards the clamour and soon all of you find yourselves watching a tall Mwangi man with close-cropped graying hair wearing a
large orange mask that depicts a laughing man’s face. A cleric of Cayden Cailean who bellows in a cheerful and boisterous tone,
“Welcome to the town of Lilywhite, favored home of Cayden Cailean! You find us in the midst of our annual Rum Punch Festival — a truly blessed time for all! If there is any way that I can help you, please let me know! But more than that I challenge anyone new, which means you have not done it before Drune! I challenge anyone knew to show their metal, and where they stand in Cayden Cailean's favor by entering The Lucky Drunk's challenge! And the victor will receive this!”
The masked man raises a large silver tankard, which must be worth 250gp. And as he does so a beaming elderly woman, face creased with laughter lines, moves up beside him, carrying a tray full of, from the smell, clearly potent alcoholic drinks,
"And for those of you who don't know I am Duwella Morin, Cayden's chief squeeze in Lilywhite, and proprietress of the fine establishment you are all standing in front of! If anyone can go for eleven rounds without trading plunder for a chunder I'll offer up a golden stein - don't worry it isn't a relic, you can sell it, and if you don't get a 1000gp your are being robbed!"
The masked man whoops and cries, "So come on who will take the challenge, I will explain the rules in full to those who accept, but in essence it is a drinking contest. So if you have the belly and, or the heart for it step up and take The Lucky Drunk's Challenge!"
Serrena nudges Lhinneth none-to-roughly in the ribs, drawing her attention from the handsome man "What'd'ye say," she grins over at the other girl, "feel like a drink? I might not win, but I bet I can drink more'n you. How 'bout we make yer new friend the prize?"
Salty takes a step forward, and calls in a deep unpleasant voice.
"I am Valaravans, and I think your beer is whale piss! I'll drink it, and I'll win that trinket! The only risk is for me to puke the drink, if is as bad as I fear it is!"
The abruptness of Arven's kiss catches Lhinneth almost completely by surprise, as does the iron-like strength of his grip on her body. Usually, such brazen impudence would be met with a knee in the groin, but this time, she finds herself reciprocating the kiss for one... two... three never-ending heartbeats before nonchalantly slipping away.
"The last man who tried that on me I left picking his teeth up from a dirty deck. But you're kind of cute. Win for me and I'll make an exception" she whispers in the Undine/Mwangi's ear as the crowd opens at his passage.
She's laying a rather heavy pouch of gold on a rum-stained table when she hears a familiar tapping sound behind her, followed by another satchel of gold dropped right next to hers. Her eyes lower as she turns, and are immediately met by the asymmetric view of a leather boot and a wooden peg; raising her gaze, it takes a while before it finally finds Serrena's slender waistline and sun-kissed face. "What can I say" she jovially answers as she takes a generous sip from the bottle offered her. "One must always keep an eye open for talent in our line of business. See?" she says pointing a tapered finger towards the table where a loud has just made Arven the winner of the hard-fought bout.
Collecting her winnings, she's still busy and savouring the view of her well-chosen champion when Serrena's elbow abruptly brings her back to reality. "You surely have a knack for making things interesting. But I can still smell your mother's milk on your lips, young girl" she quips back teasingly. "Bring it on. I'll drink you under the table" she light-heartedly boast, feigning bravado as the duo makes its way towards the tray.
Arven's manly sun bronzed soft brown skin, glistens with sweat, after the efforts in the arm wrestling, he gratefully accepts the pearl and bounces it in his hand, his strong fingers closing over it as he walks across nodding to the happy crowd that won money on his result. To those who snarled and growled, he just smiled and shrugs his shoulders. He has probably won the best prize of all, a night in the arms of that attractive woman.
On reaching the athletic and slender woman who egged him on, he finds not just a beauty wearing a tricolor, but another slightly smaller beauty wearing a blue sash in her long brown hair. He beams at the two ladies, who seem to be sharing a bottle of rum. "Here... I didn't catch your name?" he asks, his hand still holding the pearl tightly, awaiting the answer. She replies as Arven's other hand wipes the sweat from his brow, stopping the salty drips from stinging his eyes. "Seems I have competition for your attention, the old 'un over there gave me this pearl for you. I think it is for me to win you." He laughs again, taking her hand, kissing it before dropping the pearl into her palm. "And your friend here?" he questions, his eyes darting between the two women, not knowing which or both to take to his heart.
Before he can pursue the subject further, the challenge from Cayden Cailean is given, as they are driven together with the crowds. He watches as the two women talk together, unable to hear their words over the din of the excited crowd.
He puffs out his chest to impress his two new friends, but before he can say more he hears derogatory words of a strange tusked man and bursts out laughing. "If the beer tastes half as bad as that guy looks, I'll puke before I get the first sip down!" he gaffaws to the two ladies. Taking himself to his full stature, he calls after the man, "As though Cayden's blessings would taste of the dregs of the sea, when even dwarves drink with him in his house." Obviously showing off in front of the ladies, he continues, "No I will put you in your place, and honor our host who gave us this day of celebration." With that Arven, marches with intent to join the competition, with a turn of his head, he winks at the two girls, "Be here when I return triumphant."
"Lhinneth Silvertide, at her valiant champion's service" comes the reply in the form of a half-joking, flamboyant curtsey. "Oh" she imperceptibly blushes as the muscular man puts a pearl in her hand and kisses it. "I didn't fancy you as the romantic type, Arven. This day is truly full of surprises. As for my friend" she goes on, realizing how quickly his gaze has moved away from her once he noticed the pretty piratess, "her name's Serrena; but if you mean to woo her, rest assured the competition's going to be stiff. Though you did just win her a hefty sum..."
The Caydenites' proclamation abruptly interrupts their introductions, and Arven's rising testosterone seemingly does the rest. Their little friendly challenge being issued, the leggy pair takes its place among the competitors.
Lhinneth's touch as soft as velvet, a satchel finds its way among Arven's belongings. "We were getting a bit bored all alone back there, so I hope you don't mind us joining this little competition. I took the liberty of slipping your part of the winnings into that ragged bag of yours" she whispers with a wink. "And after careful consideration, keep the pearl for the time being. Who knows? At the end of the day, Serrena might very well deserve it more than I do" she adds cryptically.
Salty puffs at Arven bravado.
"Ugly? Look who is talking... the octopus talking to the squid."
Lilywhite. A small town. A boisterous town. A, frankly, drunken town.
Atrazar enjoyed the festival as much as the next healthy young man but for him the real action would be taking place tomorrow morning. He'd found that a severe hangover did wonders to open the mind to Erastil's message of careful stewardship. A healing spell or two would help make the sermon stick.
That was for tomorrow, though. For now he wandered through the crowd looking for a game that suited him. Games of strength weren't for him, and games of skill were all to often rigged. The pirate code: if you're not good enough to catch me then it's not really cheating.
Norvin scampered on ahead, the small monkey disappearing easily into the crowd. Each time Atrazar approached a booth the monkey would stick his head out. Each time he shook his head in negation and Atrazar moved on.
Before he could find anywhere worth laying his money down his attention was caught by the drinking contest. He stopped to watch with interest. He was never going to win something like this, but the contestants were sure to be needing his wisdom tomorrow...
The cleric of Cayden pulls out four small kegs and gestures for the contestants to take seats upon them, around a larger barrel that serves as a table. Duwella puts down a tray with eight drinks all far from normal fare,from brightly coloured liqors in small glasses, to tankards of a nutty smelling brew.
"Bottoms up Lords and Ladies, make Cayden proud! Round one drink!"
Duwella brings forth a new tray every five minutes or so, gradually slowing to ten minutes as the contestants begin to struggle.
Serenna links arms with Lhinneth and together the pair make their way to the table , Serenna waving at the crowd, basking in the cheers. As she sits down next to her friend she grins and, when the first tray is brought out, leans down to peer at the liquids, and then, finally making a decision, she chooses her first drink, which she downs quickly, and with all the appearance of enjoyment. After her second, however, she is already starting to feel more than a bit drunk and finally, after only her third drink, she briefly glances at Lhinneth, sways for a moment and then leans to the side and is noisily sick. Falling back to sit on the ground, she peers around at the crowd and gives a weak grin as she wipes the mess from her mouth when, suddenly, she feels herself doused under a torrent of water. There she sits blinking in shock as the others continue.
The crowd bellow and jeer as Serenna vomits and gets soaked, and break out into a rousing chorus of,
"Ho! Ho! and up it rises
Ho! Ho! and up it rises
Ho! Ho! and up it rises,
Lick-her in the morning!"
Which swiftly grows less oblique, and more raucous.
Valaravans thinks very hard in the ways he can "improve" his chances. "Sour" Valaravans is a much better drinker than himself, but the change in his physique will be very apparent to everyone. And "Sour" is not a person to be let loose in a place like this. Maybe a Polypurpose Panacea could make the trick, of the bottle of antitoxin... no, he decides, it is not worth it. He can do it.
And if not, well, nothing is lost, and he has some Alchemist Kindness in his bag if needed.
"Chug! Chug! Chug!"
He grabs a drink, and starts pouring alcohol into his toothy mouth.
Salty seems to have a knack for selecting the strongest alcohol, and his second and third drinks, especially the second are eye watering concoctions that hit his system like a tonne of ballast. The third is is a creamy coconut flavored deceptive thing that he tastes again quickly as it rises back up... Vomiting at the same time as Serenna and earning his bucket of water the crowd cheers and sing even louder while the masked Cleric of Cayden Cailean mimes vomiting behind the contestants.
Serenna grins over at Valaravans, her clothes and hair dripping with water. "Ohh,.. hic, I tho,.. thought you'd be the one to win. But you just had to,.. hoc, choose the Coconut Castaway didn't you."
"Oh shush you showoff" Lhinneth jokingly gibes as Serenna catwalks her way to the table, punctuating her words with a bump of her hip.
As soon as the older woman signals the start of the competition, she wastes no time grabbing the tankard closest to her, and has already quaffed it while her friend is still busy examining the liquors. "What's the matter? Somebody's tastes have gotten picky?" she teases.
Barely feeling the effects of her first drink, Lhinneth is busy stretching her crossed legs and readjusting her weight on the keg when the next round arrives. "You're going down, Crusilva" she says, raising her glass in a toast before gulping it down.
This time, it's liquid fire that's pouring down her throat. Tears roll down her eyes as fits of coughing rattle her body and her face quickly turns a bright red. The little minx. I bet she knew! She's forced to hold onto the barrel for balance as her common sense (not to mention her stomach) begs her to stand up and walk away right now. A quick glance at Serenna, however, is enough to put any idea of surrender out of the question.
Here it goes. Besmara smile on me. And smile she did, though the angrier powers that govern her bowels immediately prove quite a harder bunch to placate. She barely has the time to turn to her left before emptying her stomach's contents on the floor. Then, blackness.
The feeling of cold water being unceremoniously poured all over her welcomes her back to her senses. Judging from the perspective, she's lying face-up on the ground, and the pain in her lower back suggests her alcohol-soaked brain she probably just fell over on her bum. Right next to her sits Serenna, apparently not faring particularly better. Mere minutes after their cocky entrance, the two ladies are now reduced to a couple of wet and sorry messes for the other patrons' amusement – the fact the brazen half-orc is their companion in ignominious defeat being the only meagre consolation.
"Lessh call it a draw, sh-sh-shall we?" she manages to ask Serenna as she tries her best to assume a more dignified posture. "I'm in no condishion to reap the prize anyway..."
Hearing Salty's words about the creatures of the deep, Arven looks at him, scowls a little, but it's obvious the words went straight over his head as his eyes glaze over a bit.
Salty shakes himself like a dog to try and dry himself.
"Whale piss! I told you! Piss, that is what it is!"
He goes to the side, and grabbing a vial and a little of clear water, pour some Alchemist Kindness into it, to drink and remove the worst of the alcohol effects.
Duwella and the masked Cleric of Cayden exchange amused glances, both the old woman claps her hands and lets out a piercing whistle to silence the crowd to a dull roar.
"Well I am not sure any of you are in Cayden's favour today, but you've given us all a good laugh at the least so since there is now inner I will give you the money for the silver tankard to share between yourselves... Maybe you could all use some coffee hey?"
Shaking her head ruefully she hands each sodden contestant 67gp and 5sp.
The crowd jeer you all as you take the money, but its good natured, and mostly sympathetic. There are another couple of rounds, but nobody does much better than you and after half an hour the crowds begin moving chanting, "Mad Dash! Mad Dash! Mad Dash!"
"For those of you new to our fair Town, head over to the Lumberyard, where every bugger else is heading! And if you have the stomach for it you can even join in the race!" Duwella bellows above the clamour.
The crowd suddenly parts as several raggedly dressed men wearing broken chains, that do not seem to weigh much race through the centre. Grinning they perform flips, pratfalls, and even fire breathing, while occasionally casting dramatically worried looks over their shoulders.
Minutes later another group wearing stylized demonic masks and armor
and all carrying long whips parade through, the crowd booing and hissing as the villains wave manacles menacingly and generally make a pantomine of evil.
Serenna waits for Lhinneth to unsteadily climb to her feet and then reaches out to let the other girl help her stand. Taking the half-elf around the waist to steady both of them, she accepts the money with a somewhat sickly grin of thanks and waves to the crowd as she attempts to find her balance and the two make their way, still supporting each other, to a bench where they sit down and Serenna waves for a cup of water to settle her stomach. Besmera only knows why I let you talk me in to these things." she says to her friend with a half-smile as she hastily drowns the clear liquid. Half an hour later, feeling a little better, she looks up as the crowd begin their chant and turns to Lhinneth. "Well, what do you say? Should we see what this race is all about?"
Atrazar is just happy to have avoided both the contest and the ensuing projectile vomit. He joins the crush of people following the parade, hoisting Norvin up on his shoulders so at least somebody has a view of where they're going.
Valaravans pockets the money and follows the rest, while making weird noises.
It takes three attempts, but finally the half-elf piratess is able to plant one, then another booted foot to the ground and eventually slowly rise on her shaky legs and look her friend in the eyes. That's about when everything starts to spin.
She loses her balance almost instantly, and if it weren't for Serenna's arm grabbing her around the waist she would probably have been back to square one. Putting her own arm over her friend's shoulder, she barely manages to mumble some half-coherent words of gratitude to the sneering Caydenites before the duo stumbles its way to the nearest bench. There, she noisily collapses, water still dripping down her hair, clothes, and into her boots.
She greedily gulps down her cup of water when offered her, and then signals for another... and another. "Besmara only knows why I let you talk me in to these things" she hears Serenna say through her intoxicated stupor. I talked you into it? I had a one-night stand perfectly set up before you turned this into a competition, you sneaky vixen. She's about to vehemently protest, when a barely suppressed retching causes her words to die in her throat. "You're lucky you're the quickest knife this side of Port Peril, Crusilva" she manages to whisper once her stomach has settled a little. "And I'd rather have you right beside me, where I can see you" she jokes, returning the smile.
Her mind has only begun to clear, and her clothes to dry up, when the crowd's shouting catches Serenna's attention. Despite her splitting headache, she manages to raise her eyes and see the patrons emptying Cailean's Keg and heading towards the mainland. Serenna's question barely elicits a groan from her, but with the spark of interest igniting in her friend's eyes, she knows their next move is all but decided. She stands up, a bit surer on her feet yet still linking arms for balance, and is about to join the parade when she notices the burly half-orc from before doing the same at quite a brisk pace – too brisk, considering he's supposed to be in her same conditions.
or whatever... she bellows in his direction. She looks miserable enough you could probably extort her quite an heftier sum, if you so wished.
Valaravans turns and licks his tusks.
"A keen eye at a beautiful face. I like that."
He ogles her forms unashamedly.
"We will need water."
He looks for a glass of water, and puts some Alchemist Kindness powder in there. He shows the concoction to her.
"Gold first, pretty thing. Unless you want to pay in some other way..."
He sports a smile that could sour milk.
The parade takes nearly an hour and a half to wind its way through Lilywhite with various establishments having manufactured set piece shows that halt the entire affair; What seems to be a fabric store produces a giant octopus, made from carefully shaped orange fabric over a wicker frame and controlled by a dozen, not particularly well coordinated dancers which the "slaves" dodge past with their acrobatics, and then battle the "slavers" shooting forth gallons of black ink as the whips thrash at it; also of note are a group of illusionists who cover the center of the streer in surging illusionary sea from which swim forth a great silent serpent that swims back and forth winking at the crowd.
Those that care to pay attention can garner the history of the festival from the parade, once the more fanciful elements are removed.
The Rum Punch Festival is an annual religious tradition honoring Cayden Cailean that is celebrated primarily along the western coast of Garund. It commemorates a Sargavan slave escape that occurred in 4686 AR at the port of Crown’s End. The escape involved three large slaver ships crammed full of slaves captured from Sargavan docks and the Bandu Hills, bound for sale at the slave markets of Bloodcove. Prior to setting sail, the crews of the ships gathered for a celebratory drink, each consuming a few mugs of rum. Surprisingly, the crews of all three ships got roaringly drunk despite consuming
no more rum than usual. Many slavers fell unconscious in positions that left their key rings dangling within reach of the slaves in the ships’ holds. As the slaves freed themselves, five small seabirds flew past the ship. A few worshipers of the Lucky Drunk among the escapees took the amazing potency of the rum as a sign that Cayden Cailean had intervened to give them a chance to free themselves, and believed the five birds had been sent by his herald Thais. As a result, the escaped slaves followed the birds and eventually found a small beached ship that they managed to launch and sail to the Shackles. The story spread, and Cayden’s faithful began celebrating the anniversary of the escape a few years later. As the tradition grew, it came to be named for the power of the rum that had given the escapees their chance at freedom. The festival is still most common in the Shackles, though it has begun to slowly spread elsewhere in the Inner Sea.
By the time you reach the Parade's end the sun has begin to set and fireworks fill the skies bathing the scene in vivid multicoloured hues. The Lumberyard is abuzz with hundreds of workers, revelers, and actors, all gathered before a small wooden stage. Suddenly, a gunshot rings across the crowded square, and attention snaps to the sharp-dressed woman standing on the stage, holding a still-smoking pistol.
Now certain she has the attention of all present, she addresses the crowd. “I’m Captain Varossa Lanteri of the Magpie Princess and I have a business proposition. I’ve recently discovered the secret to finding the lost treasure of Captain Jemma Redclaw, and I’m looking for a few strong hands to help me secure it. The first to reach my bosun’s table on the second floor of the God’s Revel Inn down by the harbor will have the opportunity to receive an officer’s share of old Captain Redclaw’s gold. If you’ve been waiting for your chance at fame and fortune, it’s finally here!” She fires her pistol over the heads of the crowd a second time, and shouts,
“Now hop to!” A moment of shocked silence is followed by a riot of shouts as dozens of people rush out of the lumberyard.
As a standard action, a PC can attempt to overcome one of the two obstacles on the card the character is currently on. If successful, the character exits the card and moves on to the next one. Failing a check to overcome an obstacle means
that a character stops moving for that round and must face the obstacles on the same card again on the next round.
As a full-round action, a PC can attempt both obstacles on his card. If the PC successfully overcomes both obstacles,
the character can exit to the next card and attempt one of its obstacles immediately (allowing the PC to potentially exit two cards in 1 round). If the PC fails either of the obstacles on the initial card, the character stops moving
for that round.
The town’s crowded streets keep the faster racers from being able to push their advantage too much, and characters with base speeds of 20 feet to 40 feet are all on even footing.
So many hopeful pirates begin running that a crowd immediately forms and blocks the route.
Bellow and Push Through: Intimidate DC 12
and/or
Duck through a Gap: Reflex DC 10
Narrow streets form a choke point in the race.
Notice a Shortcut: Perception DC 14
and/or
Make Your Own Shortcut: Strength DC 13
The racers must choose to either push through the crowded main bridge or try to span the gap of a broken bridge.
Crowded Bridge
Scramble over the Railing: Climb DC 14
and/or
Everybody Move!: Bluff DC 14
Broken Bridge
Jump It!: Acrobatics DC 15
and/or
Swim It!: Swim DC 14
Brawlers try to eliminate the competition.
Sense an Ambush: Sense Motive DC 16
and/or
Knock Them into the Bay: Bull Rush CMD 16
Competitors try to push each other into the harbor.
No, You First!: Trip CMD 14
and/or
Look behind You!: Bluff DC 13
The entrance to the God’s Revel Inn is a short ramp packed with drunken patrons.
Dodge the Drunks: Acrobatics DC 12
and/or
Scale the Ramp: Climb DC 14
Even without tusks or a green skin, it looks like I'm his type thinks Lhinneth half-drunkenly, still clinging to Serenna for balance. She can almost feel the massive half-orc's stare savouring her body, even as his face is but a blurry green spot one full foot above her.
"Some other way huh? Does that work for you?" she says standing on the tip of her toes and softly kissing his right tusk, "one for me" she purrs, briefly staggering as she readjusts her aim and lands a second kiss, this time on his left one "and one for my friend."
The concoction's effect is not instantaneous, but Lhinneth can feel her head starting to clear almost immediately. Unfortunately, her sharp vision is among the first things to return. I kissed... that...? she realizes as her gaze falls on the row of pointed teeth protruding from the bulging alchemist's mouth, a mouth more akin to a shark's than to anything that walks on land. Serenna, you owe me big for this.
Still, by the time the parade has taken a few turns around the town, she's sobered up almost completely, and the memory of her kiss is rapidly fading – another bad decision adding up to the already considerable pile of her life's debatable choices. Moreover, the general good mood is starting to rub off on her, and she finds herself shouting a couple of times by the time they reached the Lumberyard.
By then, she was already settled on taking part in the race. She's busy stretching her muscles when the gunshot echoes in the air. She listens to Captain Lanteri's words with a rapt expression on her face, the word 'treasure' having a particularly sweet ring to her ears.
"Don't worry" she says to Serenna as the Dash is about to start. "I'll put a good word in for you."
First Obstacle
As soon as the signal is given, Lhinneth wastes no time sprinting into action. she bellows, punctuating her words with a wide sweep of her leg. A faint smile appears on her lips as her threat gives her just the opening she was looking for; a quick run-up, and she deftly slides right through the legs of a fat sailor and finds herself among the lead pack.
Second Obstacle
From the corner of her eye, she catches the unmistakeable gleaming of the sea just at the end of a long, cramped side alley. A rapid turn to her right, and she's now running alone, the faint noises of the race echoing just a dozen feet to her left.
Third Obstacle
The alley leads right into a bridge. Perfect place to get stuck she thinks as she discerns a bunch of racers already trying to jostle their way through it. Luckily, an old, broken gangplank in an obvious state of disrepair runs right alongside it; Lhinneth's legs barely slow down as she gracefully jumps across it and the dives into Lilywhite's cove rough waters, re-emerging right by the town's square.
Fourth Obstacle
"Make way! she once again cries as she tries to push a burly man out of the way. Unluckily, it appears he had the same idea, for he dodges right at the last second and shovels her to the ground.
Fourth Obstacle
she roars, taking a running jump and kneeing the man right in the belly, pushing him back three full feet before darting away.
Fifth Obstacle
"Heh. Suckers."
Sixth Obstacle
With her goal in sight, she dances her way past the patrons and then climbs the last few feet separating her from plunder and glory.
Lhinneth kisses seems to do nothing for the orc.
"You will need to do better, pretty one. I am not a landlubber. I need a bigger meal to satiate my appetite... And if your friend want some of this, she can join us in the night to pay for it."
---
Valaravans roars as he drinks his beastmorph mutagen. His size increases to Large, his prominent tusks give way to a double row of serrated teeth, claws appear on his now webbed hands, and his feet also get webbed, allowing him to swim as a fish. A shark to be exact.
This race won't be won by "Salty". It will be won by "Sour".
The smaller pirates ignore the large shark-orc, and keep moving forward.
"Move out of the way! Might the sea drown you all!"
"And to think I was feeling like I was already giving you a generous bargain" frowns Lhinneth, almost losing her balance again if Serenna weren't there to catch her. "Keep your concoctions, then. I doubt there's enough of those in all of the Shackles to pay for the company of girls like us."
Salty looks depressed by the answer.
"Really? Too bad, your loss. We can settle on the 5 gold, if you like. 8 for 2 doses!"
Atrazar's head swivels around at the captain's announcement. The festival is fun and all, but money is money. He immediately begins squirming his way to the front of the crowd as she speaks, squeezing past a hunched over half orc just before the starting pistol sounds.
Full round double obstacle...
Failure!
Round two:
Round three:
Choke point standard action:
Round four:
Crowded bridge standard action:
Round five:
Standard action:
Round six:
Standard action:
Failure!
Round seven:
Standard action:
Round eight:
Standard action:
"Make way, damn you!"
Atrazar's command is largely lost in the echoes of the starting gun. A small gap opens up ahead of him, but when he dives for it he bounces off the side of the now-enormous half-orc.
Atrazar takes a step back and draws on the power of Erastil, speaking from his diaphragm.
"Everybody move!"
The crowd parts, and he dashes forward. An itching in his good eye as the streets narrow draws his attention to a small alley. Ducking into it, he finds himself facing a pair of bridges when he pops out the other side.
While Norvin urges him to try to leap across the broken bridge, Atrazar decides to use his wits to get past this obstacle, rather than his legs. He taps the shoulder of the man in front of him.
"Friend," Atrazar begins, indicating back over his shoulder with his thumb, "that half-orc says he's making a snack out of anybody stuck on this bridge when he gets here."
The pirate's eyes widen as he sees the mutated form bearing down on them. Crying out, he grabs his friends' arms and drags them all down into the water. Atrazar squeezes through the gap thus created and makes his way across.
The fellows trying to set an ambush on the other side of the bridge are unfortunately too drunk to realize that they're hiding on the wrong side of the boxes they crouched down next to. Atrazar detours slightly to pass behind them and moves on without incident.
The path narrows again as it threads its way along the cliff. Atrazar begins to try and bluff his way through when he sees a half elf girl up ahead elbow a man in a very sensitive place, setting off a chain reaction that sends him stumbling backwards. Once he convinces the man that saltwater is good for what ails him, the way is clear to move on.
The Inn comes into view and Atrazar feels a second wind come upon him in a burst of energy. Norvin cheers him on as he weaves and dodges his way through the drunken throng and arrives at the bosun's table.
"Deal" Lhinneth says shaking the half-orc's massive hand, which almost threatens to engulf hers completely. "Here's 8 gold pieces. Now please, the potion. I feel my stomach's about to turn, again."
Salty smiles and gives her, and Serenna, the Alchemist Kindness.
"And if you change your mind, I'm available, for one or both of you."
He chuckles disgustingly.
Serenna, still feeling sorry for herself, gulps down a few mugs of water and then sits, nursing the last one when Lhinneth waves over the half-orc. Watching with barely concealed amusement as she tries to trade a few kisses for,.. something to take away the splitting headache that Serenna knows they share. At the burly, toothy thing’s response, she laughs, steadying her friend ”Now that’d take more than getting rid of a headache! I wouldn’t trade I night with you fer a new leg!”
With that the two girls turn away and, still supporting each other rather unsteadily, join the crowd as it moves off towards the lumberyard, both of them gulping down the half-orc's concoction. Serenna can’t help but needle Lhinneth as the effects of the drinks gradually wear off and they join in the festive mood. ”Thanks for that, I didn’t know you had such a thing for tusks though.” she smiles, ”Even with your taste in men he was a bit, ummmm,… toothy. Not that I’m judging you or anything, but even you should be able to do better than that!”
Feeling much better by the time they reach the lumberyard, Serenna is, like her friend, stretching in preparation for the race when Captain Varossa mounts the stage and speaks. Almost before the word ‘treasure’ has left the woman’s mouth Lhinneth is off, with Serenna only inches behind.
1: Bellow and Push Through: Intimidate DC 12
1: Bellow and Push Through: Intimidate DC 12
1: Duck through a Gap: Reflex DC 10
2: Notice a Shortcut: Perception DC 14
2: Notice a Shortcut: Perception DC 14
3: Jump It!:
Swim It!: Swim DC 14
4: Sense an Ambush: Sense Motive DC 16
4: Sense an Ambush: Sense Motive DC 16
5: Look behind You!: Bluff DC 13
(+1 more if is, or could be attracted) 4/3
6: Dodge the Drunks: Acrobatics DC 12
Serenna laughs out loud as she begins moving forward, shouting at the crowd as she runs. ”Out of the way you scurvy bastards! If you slow me down I’ll rip yer bloody ears off! Unfortunately, the fat man in front of her stmbles as Lhinneth slides elegantly between his legs, jostling her and making her trip. Stabilising herself, she shouts at him again ”Out of my way I said, you blubbery walrus.” The man shrinks back and, Serenna manages to skip around a woman with an ugly scar running down her cheek, into a momentary opening in the crowd, glancing about, she loses sight of Lhinneth and pauses, looking for a way through. After a few moments she sees a narrow alley which seems to lead forward and she sprints for the opening. Coming to a broken plank-bridge she doesn’t hesitate and launches herself out over the water in an elegant dive which brings her just feet from the far side of the waterway and, after a few strokes she emerges from the water on the far boardwalk. Running forward into Founder’s square, she fails to stop the brawlers and skids to a halt, quickly reversing direction and slipping into a side alley that leads to the cliffs. Easily running across the rocks next to a tattooed sailor who veers to the side, Serenna pretends to stumble, and the man badly missteps, tripping himself and sliding down the ledge’s face. Emerging back into the road in front of their goal she nimbly dances around the side of the inn, vaulting over the rail and in through its open window. Landing gracefully next to Lhinneth who is already there. Panting form the exertion she turns to her friend, smiling from the thrill of the run despite losing to the other girl. ”Next time I’ll bloody have you.” she says, gulping air into her lungs, bloody idiots kept getting in me way!”
Salty stores the new coins, smiling widely. Today has been a good day money wise.
He screams after the girls:
"Never say I won't eat that! Even if it looks bad, you might like the taste!"
He laughs at his own joke.
---
So, first round he drinks the mutagen and fails to pass.
He tries the double test!
1: Bellow and Push Through: Intimidate DC 12
1: Duck through a Gap: Reflex DC 10
Fail!
Third Round
1: Bellow and Push Through: Intimidate DC 12
1: Duck through a Gap: Reflex DC 10
Now we are talking!
2:Make Your Own Shortcut: Strength DC 13
Fourth Round
He goes for the Broken Bridge, trying to do both checks.
3:Jump It!: Acrobatics DC 15
3:Swim It!: Swim DC 14
Miss again!
Fifth Round
Try again
3:Jump It!: Acrobatics DC 15
3:Swim It!: Swim DC 14
Here we go!
4: Knock Them into the Bay: Bull Rush CMD 16
Off they go!
Sixth Round
Double check! Let's go for the gold!
5:No, You First!: Trip CMD 14
5:Look behind You!: Bluff DC 13
Damn!
Seventh Round
Try again!
5:No, You First!: Trip CMD 14
5:Look behind You!: Bluff DC 13
That is not working.
Eight Round
Ok, just the Trip...
5:No, You First!: Trip CMD 14
Ninth Round
Almost there
Scale the Ramp: Climb DC 14
Arrived!
Arven races forward ducking through a gap and racing out of the lumberyard. Spotting a break in the crowd and a promising alley that he is sure could cut off a corner he attempts to push his way through the crowd, but instead ends up smashed against the wall by a surge of burly sailors. Trying again this time he succeeds pushing through and racing down the alley to rejoin the race, seeing the two bridges he elects to leap across the broken one, easily clearing it and surging onwards.
Unfortunately he arrives at just the wrong time as the brawl is in full force and looses precious seconds being knocked about before finally throwing back an opponent and clearing the mellee. Reaching the cliff with a large part of the runners he ends up in a struggle with a wiry man both seeking to fling the other into the sea, and only on his third try is he able to douse the fellow.
Finally he easily dodges around the drunks and arrives at the Inn, but knows he is far off the pace...
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4
Round 5
Round 6
Round 7
Round 8
Round 9
Round 10
Round 11
The God’s Revel Inn is a two-story building made of old but sturdy wood and the occasional bit of tarnished brass. The interior is brightly lit with oil lamps and smells strongly of unwashed bodies and smoky fires.
Benches are scattered around mismatched tables and crates.
In the center of the main room’s floor is a recessed circle of hardpacked earth, ringed by a series of heavy posts connected by fraying rope. A second-floor balcony overlooks the ring and part of the main floor. A wide stairway leads up to a small landing near the earthen ring, then continues up to the second floor.
Lhinneth is the first to arrive with the next closest racers a good ten seconds behind her as she enters the Inn a huge muscular man covered ins cars approaches flanked by two burly half orcs,
"I'm Huldren, the last challenge in Captain Lanteri’s race, and anyone who wants to go upstairs has to go through me and the boys here," the scarred man says, cracking his knuckles and giving Lhinneth a threatening leer. The threes low self congratulatory chuckling lend his words the lie.
At this point Serenna arrives alongside another lean rat faced man who takes one look at Huldren and slinks away.
Serenna's words are fuel thrown on the fire of Lhinneth's shame. Blushing vehemently, she's about to mumble something about her alcoholic stupor clouding her vision (not to mention her inhibitions), but the only sound coming from the embarrassed half-elf is an unintelligible stuttering.
"Why, thank you, Serenna" she eventually replies icily. "Coming from you, I'll take that as a compliment – considering your taste in men seems to boil down to those I've put my eyes on first."
___________________________________________________________________
Lhinneth regards the trio with the widest smile on her face, not unlike a young girl unwrapping her birthday presents. "Come on, boys, we both know what a big pile of horse manure that is. Next time, if you want a good brawl, just ask" she says with a wink, cracking her back.
Her expression suddenly turning deadly serious, she assumes a fighting posture and aims a well-placed kick at this Huldren guy, eager to take him down.
___________________________________________________________________