Sera is about to answer when she see's Tomm pretend to cleave his pups. A look of fear washes over her and she immediately begins giving the dogs a quick examination for any marks of abuse.
Rizzo offers his hand to everyone who wishes to join. I'm Rizzo de Canal, good to meet you. And every time he uses that whirlwind death strike maneuver, you just douse him with water to discourage him. If we're going to be serious about this, I agree we need to sign up. And we need to see what is involved in running this gauntlet. He turns to the bartender. "Is there anything you can do to help us?"
Caelin seems to be happy enough silently listening to the bubbly conversation going on about him, until it hits him like a sack of bricks. We? He blinks, looking around at the other grouped young people. Oh, don't tell me...
"I, uh, don't think I would be of much use, you know, whirling death blades and whatnot aside," he stutters nervously. "Swords and whatnot are quite fascinating, sure enough, but it's one thing to scrape out the fuller or consider the ideal angle of the blade for its purpose and another to... uh... actually stab someone with it. You know? ... No? Umm."
Tomm will walk over and clasp Rizzo's hand with a vice grip.
"Pleasure ta meet ya friend! Me names Tomm Odelle, an I'm thinkin' yer idea o' findin' out more about this here gauntlet is a right good idea."
Tomm will turn to the young man at his table, mistaking his lengthy objections for an invitation.
"Ha! Never met a feller who knew a lot about fancy words and a lot about swords! Yer more than welcome ta join us, just think about what he could do with a boon from the King, an with this crew I'm sure we've got a great shot!"
Tomm will turn to the barman expectantly waiting to see if be has any wisdom to share.
"You are amusing Tommodelle. You don't even know many of our names and you think we're strong enough to help you win a boon from a king. Since the others want to see this festival, I guess I could go, but I'm not sure I'd be very helpful in a fight, especially if its a string of single fights." remarks Sera with a grin.
"Please, the only thing you know about wizards is what you hear in stories. Most of them never see a battle in their life."
Tomm turns back to address Sera,
"Heh, well I dunno know yer names cause apparently they're closely guarded secrets! An I gotta be confident, if everyone worried as much as yeh, nothin would ever get done. Gotta reach fer the stars they say!
The bartender again speak with Tomm:
"I can't say how the Captian'll run thngs this year. Some years he fights a small group all at once, other times he'll accept challenges to single combat. I think they're seeting things up now in the Green, so why not head over there? You can put your names down and then catch some of the action!. Usually a few other knights or soldiers run the gauntely before the prince, so you can get a look at this year's layout here too."
"But I just got here and haven't really had breakfast yet!" whines Sera as it seems the others are ready to go. "Can we wait like 10 minutes for some of us to finish breakfast. Oh, and I am known to answer to the name Seraphyna."
"Tess." She says shortly. She grabs a pair of biscuits to go.
"Let's get goin'!"
Tomm will shout to his dogs. They'll follow him as he runs up the steps to his room, and a minute later they'll come bounding back downstairs. Tomm now carries a well worn pack over some very old, but well cared for scalemail armor that he is still attempting to strap on with one hand. The other carries a large woodcutter's axe that seems to have been strengthened and weighted for battle with several large iron bands. While not as large as a typical greataxe, it would no doubt cause intense wounds with its impetus. A crude but effective weapon, undoubtedly much like its wielder.
Tomm will breeze through the inn like a hurricane, sweeping up objectioning wizards and hungry elves alike towards the door and down the road towards the Green.
"Comeon, comeon! We'll want ta get there early so we can get a look a' this gauntlet! Ye seem ta have a keen mind lad, let us know if ye spot somethin' worth knowin'. "
The excitable hunter gathers the group together. The servers help provide a small basket of biscuits and fruit to go, and the six almost-strangers head towards the Green. Along the way they take in the sights, smells, and sounds of the festivities. The side of Market Street are lined with carts and stalls, where vendors are hawking wares of every description. The crowd is thick, and there is excitement in the air.
The group arrives at the large field near the center of town that makes up the Green. They find a few people milling about and the whole areas is roped off. A series of obsatcles is under construction.
The party can see a wooden wall going up. In another area, a patch of dirt is being churned into soft mud. At a third spot a long, narow beam provides a walkway over a bed of sharpended sticks and brambles. Near the far side, the group sees a series of logs being tied to a frame so that they can swing freely from side to side. Others obstacles are still too early in construction to tell what they are.
Tomm spies a large table inside a tent near where the group has arrived. Inquiring inside, he discovers that this is where to find out more about the event.
Tess pushes her way to the front. "I'd like to know about the challenge that the Captain is giving to the commoners." The small, lithe elven girl states this with all the intention of intending to challenge him.
The excitement in the air does wonders for Rizzo's hangover. Distracted by the vendors and their wares, he tarries by some of the stalls. Those are some fine daggers he thinks as he asks permission to look at some parrying daggers. In his training Marius was always insistent that he keep his off hand free, but he had his doubts. Suddenly he realizes that he was being left behind and he rushes to the tent, overhearing Tess make her demand. Satisfied that the young elf will soon have the needed information he makes his way over towards the suspended logs. Smiling he casually calls out to one of the workmen. "So what new tortures lie in wait this year?"
---------
Somehow caught up in this excitable mess, Caelin stumbles along with the others, occasionally protesting his uselessness in a contest of arms and other such things. He even goes so far to explain that he only possesses 'useless' magic that helps him with business and trades, but clearly that goes above the heads of most of the others here. Eventually, the mage sighs in resignation and allows himself to be dragged along to the fair.
Along the way, Caelin takes a particular interest in any vendors hawking crafted goods - jewellery and the like in particular, but anything particularly unique catches his eye. He's looking for inspiration, perhaps, as he's already offloaded the trade goods he was sent to this city to offload in the first place...
"By the by," he says enroute to the Green, suddenly realising his manners, "my name is Caelin. Caelin Ferrier. A... pleasure. I suppose."
Upon arrival, Berion pulls he and Sera aside to conspire. Caelin frowns darkly at the suggestion. "I suspect that is against the rules," he responds somewhat indignantly. "Also, if you must know, a giant log like those would certainly be far too heavy for a minor cantrip to affect. It's got to be something lighter, nothing much heavier than a bucket of water you know, perhaps a little less than that..." Realising he's rambling, Caelin drags himself back to the main point. "I-In any case, it depends on the rules of this competition. I don't intend on getting myself arrested!"
Besides - Father would kill me!
Sera is equally caught up in the whirlwind that is Tommodelle, but is thankful to the innkeepers that provided them the fruit for travel. At the fair Sera flits between terrified over the volume of non-elves, and amazed and curious over the new sights and sounds. Most interesting to her is a necklace of crystal that catches the light and reflects it back in rainbow hues. She is so caught up in the moment and entranced by the necklace she completely forgets to haggle and just pays whatever the vendor asks.
As the others inquire about the tournament, Sera is busy amusing herself by using her new prism to reflect a rainbow pattern on to various passerbys butts, and “tormenting” Tommodelle’s dogs as they chase the pattern on a nearby tent. When Berion pulls them aside to inquire about ways to cheat, Sera balks, and is glad Caelin speaks up. After all, it’s one thing to be silly with friends and family, but to risk upsetting an entire village during what is apparently an important festival for a few people she just met, well, she’d like to keep her head on her shoulders for the time being.
Perhaps I should look at my books again. I always thought I was hopeless but these people don't even know the basics of magic. Tess keeps her eyes on the worker, waiting for the rules of the challenge.
The staffperson in charge turns to Tessars first. She says:
"Well, the captain like surprises, that he does. Some years he'll challenge a string of folk to single combat, other times it's a smaller group but all at once. Still other times he'll let on eof his officers have the honor of making the challenge. This year the rumor is it'll be Lieutenant Heike's turn. She a tough one, to be sure. Captain Wenger says she's got what it take to replace him one day. She probably take on a small group, maybe 4 or 5, that always inpresses the crowd. In the contest no one gets to wear armor and there'll be no magic or potions of any kind. You use a fairly safe weapon, probably those bagged staves they're fond of lately. You fight until one side's out cold or they yield."
"As for the obstacles, it's traditional for there to be about 7 to 10 set up here. They don't necessarily all require brawn, most are designed to test agility and quickness. But our knights need to be strong, so besides the wall climb expect at least one or two others to test physical might."
Sera’s eyes get wider and wider as the rules of no armor and no magic are explained. ”Well, I’m sure I’ll make a lovely cheering section for you rough and tumble types. No armor and no magic might as well have said no Seraphyna.” Then, bending over and scratching one of Tomm’s dogs behind the ear she adds, ”At least I’ll get to spend more time with Susan here!”
As the humans and elves are talking to the event coordinator, two people walk over to the tent. They wear long blue coats with high collars. The coats are closed by a row of shiny silver buttons. The collars of their coats are decorated with embroidery depicting an eagle in flight with silvery thread.
One is a man of medium height, probably in his early middle years based on his salt-and-pepper hair that's been cropped short. The second figure is a tall, striking woman - porbably in her mid twenties. She stands a coupe of inches taller than the man. The man's coat has three wide silvery stripes on the sleeve near the cuff, the woman's has one stripe. The man speaks with the attentdant.
"Any takers so far? Heike here has been just itching to show off her skills. No? Not ONE registrant yet? Hmm...my reputation is getting to be a problem I see."
Noticing the group of strangers mingling around he says:
"You there, are you here for the captian's challenge? Well, you're in luck! I'm here in the flesh. First Captain Kurt Wenger. This is Lieutenant Heike Steiger. What can we do to persuade you to accept the challenge?"
Sera watches the strangers in awe. So pretty… so shiny! It doesn’t even occur to her they are addressing her and her group, she just keeps muttering, ”I want the jacket!, so shiny!” her right hand opening and clenching in a grabby motion at her side.
"Oh you're the captain? Aren't you a little old to be fighting?"
Tomm's eyes will also grow wider as the staffperson continues her explanation. But when finished he'll happily cry out,
"Ha ha! Tha's the way ta do it! None o' them fancy armors or expensive potions ta aid ye, just yer skill an yer stones against tha world!"
When the Captain himself approaches the tent, Tomm is too excited to even notice for a moment, but when his new allies begin bargaining with him, Tomm will dash up not quite understanding their subtle approach. He'll address them in a Bernholdian that still easily betrays his rustic roots.
Rizzo comes over from talking to the workmen, just in time to overhear the Captain. "I and my friends here are interested in the challenge. I can't speak for any incentive they might wish, but I'm curious as to how well I will fare. That's my incentive." With that he signs his name on the registry for the contest. He nods towards the Lieutenant. "I look forward to our fight. What are the rules?"
Heike looks Rizzo and Tomm over. First she speaks to Tomm:
"Let me speak so you all might hear. The captain and I have been talking and we feel that no armor leaves too many folk open to serious injury. We'll allow some special padded leather suits designed for this thing. Also, I am willing to challenge up to four of you at once. You will be given 1 minute to prepare yourselves with spell, scroll, or potion. After that, we simply fight until one side gives up."
"Ah, four of us! What a shame, what a shame, that means I'll have to sit out, ha ha ha..." Caelin all-too-happily steps back from the firing line with an incredibly fake laugh. He does, however, pause for thought when preparation is mentioned.
"So magic is allowed," he says bemusedly, mostly to Sera, "but only beforehand? What a strange ruling. And something I might actually be able to have a hand in."
"... Ahem," he addresses the more fightery types once they've finished discussion with the lieutenant, "I may be able to offer you some assistance..."
"If you've a need to go armourless, I can provide one of you with a magical force-shield. It's about as strong as chainmail, but invisible - at least until it gets hit. Then it flashes with colour. In retrospect, perhaps I should work on trying to get rid of that aspect of the spell... it pleases me aesthetically speaking, but perhaps it would be more effective if it did not alert an enemy that you had a spell cast on you. Hmm." Caelin strokes his chin thoughtfully, before snapping out of his reverie and continuing.
"Oh! I can also make you as large as an ogre, although probably only half as strong as one, if that seems more your thing. It only lasts for a short while, though, so make the battle quick. Alas, my studies have been lacking lately... I am not too proficient with it yet."
Sera boggles as Caelin explains his spells, "Wow, chainmail! I've never seen chainmail before, but it sounds very protective! I can only offer a bit of light from the heavens that only minorly protects you, and even then for only about a minute! You think you need to work on your studies, compared to you I'm still on my way to class!" she remarks with a grin.
Tomm will look slightly dejected at the lieutenants rules, but will smile and say,
"Well if thas the way ye want ta fight so be it, four on one will be quite the sight an I'm eager ta get to it!"
Tomm will quickly stalk back into the tent to sign his mark on the participant book.
Afterwards when Caelin and Sera offer their aid Tomm will retort,
"Huh, well tha's kind o' ye ta offer yer magics, an as I'm sure the lieutenant has got her own I'm not ta turn down yer generous offer. I admit tha magic armor o' yours would do me well, but if ye make me a giant I fear even with the armor I'd be a sittin' duck to a skilled fighter. Maybe ye would be interested in Seraphyna's protection Rizzo?"
"If he's allowing magic than he's probably using it." Tess offers.
Rizzo shrugs. "I don't know much about magic, I think just the basic leather would be fine with me. If it was to the death, I'd look for any advantage I could have. But I'd like to see how well I can do without it.
"Well then, I will count on meeting the four of you in the field. As for these coats, they are the dress uniform of the Eagle Guard, his majesty's elite fighting unit. If you can best me and the gauntlet, perhaps the king would grant you a place in our academy. But he may have other things in mind. Now, please enjoy the festivities! The prince will be doing his run of the gauntlet in about an hour. See those raised benches? Get there early for a prime seat! After that, enjoy the jousting and maneuvers on the Parade Ground. Be back here by two o'clock for our little contest."
"Hmm." Tess watches the woman walk off. I wonder what her style of fighting is...
"Er, it is the lady that's gonna fight us Tess, not tha captain. An besides, me father always said ta be wary of old warriors, there's a reason they're still kickin' after all that fightin'."
Tomm will grumble a bit at having to wait so long for the fight but he'll manage to summon up a polite goodbye to the Captain and Lieutenant.
"Bah, might as well take in the fair, I'm lookin' forward ta seein' what this gauntlet is all about."
Rizzo nods at the Lieutenant. "I'll see you at 2 then." As she leaves he turns to those who wish to help. "I'm fairly agile, but rely more on my strength. I've had some training under a master swordsman with single sword fighting, but I would consider myself an apprentice. That's what I can bring to the fight. As for tactics, obviously we want to come at her from as many directions as we can.
With a little time to wander, the party hits the street vendors again for a short time. They soon make their way back with any extra trinkets or snacks they happened to pick up.
The group finds some seats in the wooden bleachers and awaits the running of the gauntlet. Soon after settling in a few formally dressed trumpeters appear and play a loud and inspiring fanfare. A richly dressed man appears and speaks to the large crowd, his voice obviously amplified by magical means.
"Welcome all to this year's Founders day celebration! As you all know, we have a very special event to begin the festivities! Our fine Prince, Johann, has completed his training and has been found worthy to be accepted into the Order of the Eagle, his majesty's own knightly order. Here he is to display his strength and agility, and later he will favor us with demonstrations of his martial prowess at the tilt!"
A young man in his early twenties step forward and waves to the crowd to loud and raucous cheering. He moves to the starting line without further ado, and takes his place between two rough-looking soldiers. After all are in place a voice shouts "GO!". Then race begins!
Sera grins from elongated ear to elongated ear as the group explores the festival. Spotting a small child with a fanciful dessert, she learns of the vendor selling this odd looking delicacy known as a funnel cake. Obtaining one of her own, she is amazed at the variety of fruit and sugar based toppings offered, and loads her up with a bit over everything. Offering some to the others, she devours it with great gusto before bouncing around from vendor to vendor, barely stopping to take in their wares before pressing on.
When the time for the gauntlet arrives, she is nearly buzzing on her seat in the bleachers. Nearly on top of the voice shouting go, she begins a loud and raucous cheer, "GOPRINCEJOHANNYOUCANDOIT! IONCEKNEWAMANNAMEJOHANNWHOLOVEDTOTOSSABOUTHISEXPLODINATORS! BOOMBOOMBOOM! DUCKTHATBEAMLOOKOUTFORTHEHOLEWOOHOO!"
Tess is every bit the opposite of Sera, with the exception of curiosity. She ends up buying one of the foods with far too much sugar, munching on it as she watches the race.
The contestants surge ahead, moving direclty toward a low wooden wall, perhaps 8 or 9 feet high. As they approach, they leap up and grab the top with their hands. The Prince and one soldier haul themselves over the wall in one go, but the third man loses his grip and falls down!
After climbing this wall, the two head twoards a wide ditch filled with mud. They both bound across with ease! Meanwhile the third man scales the wall and starts his pursuit. the leaders approach the next obstacle: a narrow beam suspended over thick brambles and pointed sticks!
The solider reaches the ramp up first, and nimbly steps his way across the beam, followed closely by the prince. The third runner begins to make up some ground.
The athletes now find themselves coming upon a group of cylinders laid sideways across the ground. They have to duck down and crawl through on their bellies. The prince is in front by now, and he makes his way through, safely but deliberately. His slower progress allows the third runner to make up some ground.
After another short jog, the group approaches a muddy pit with no way across. In they plunge, and as they sink up to thier waists, the second solider loses his footing and falls face-first in the filthy ground! The prince and third runner slog their way through the waist-deep morass and haul themselvesout the far side.
Now they must scale a much higher wall. This time a rope is hanging down for each runner, but this wall is 25' feet high. The prince is obviously very strong, and he takes a big lead by the time the group reaches the top. He then rappells down the far side safely.
Now the group nears the finish, but they face the toughest test so far. A series of logs hanging lengthwise are swinging across their path, pushed by young men. Each runner takes a few hits, and the prince falls down! The two soldiers speed up, sending victory. The prince regains his feet, and hurries forward.
Right before the finsih is the eighth and final hurdle: A tall stack of haybales the runners must burst straight through. Both soliders grunt and hit the stack, but cannot push their way through quickly. Prince Johann races ahead, lowers his head and shoulder, and puts his hand out in front of himelf. He pwoers straight through the heavy hay, and crosses the finish line to thunderous applause!
What a brute. Tess flinches at the sudden applause, covering her ears in annoyance. These humans are so loud.
True to form, Tomm will not stop talking throughout the fair, jabbering on about Bernhold and the various foods and attractions. Thankfully his prattling is easy to ignore and he is constantly distracted with all the other people to talk at. Tomm's dogs are a popular topic and they enjoy all the attention.
Tomm will happily stand in the front row with Sera shouting his head off, though Tomm generally cheers for the two underdogs running alongside the Prince.
Rizzo yells with excitement during the race, doing his best to outdo Seraphyna in yelling department. He fails. Luckily, he got an early seat and munches down on some sort of meat on a stick, while drinking from a stein of ale. Having had to run similar gauntlets he recognizes how hard they can be. Of course Marius didn't have a obstacle course set up, his obstacles were more thrown together than this. As the Prince starts to lag behind in the final few seconds he wonders. "What happens if the Prince loses?" but his doubts are laid to rest by the spectacular finish. "YES!! he screams with the rest of crowd, coming to his feet.