Guys, let's go enjoy the company in the bunk house.
you make your way to the only multi-story building other than the barn and knock on the door. A few moments later a jovial plump woman opens the door and smiles as she greets you. "Hello young ones! What can I do for you? " Teri peers into the building and notices the dwarf, Roughrider, sitting at the table with a cup of tea sitting before him. He wears some official robes, like those of a policeman or a paladin. "A room for the night? Well I suppose I could have the boys cuddle up. Now young miss there, of course we can't have you mixed in with all of them. You're welcome to stay in the guest room. But, if you're going to be using the bunkhouse, that's for workers. I'll ask you to give me some help in the morning to pay off the debt. How does this sound? "
"That sounds reasonable."
Thervold sniffs. I don't suppose you'd have some private rooms for the right price, would you? Perhaps hot baths, platters of food, ale and entertainment? Work is so... so commonplace
Mama D looks surprised and then a bit annoyed by Thervold's question. " No, Sonny, this is not a hotel...." She laughs at the second part of your comment. "Commonplace it may be, but it's still work that needs to be done. I can see you're quite the jokester. Anyways, the water pump is out by the barn and the food line is set up outside of the grand stands. As for entertainment, that starts in the morning, don't you worry. It's going to be quite a rodeo this year. "
Im game. It'll be a dream compared to some past lodgings. Remind me to tell you about that, Thervold, Its a devil of a yarn.
Casvian points to a random direction and tells Alric to "get to work". He does so with a smirk on his face since he is still blind.
Thervold mutters Work! Like a common servant! as he prepares for bed.
That's a wall, Casivan.
You are assigned to various tasks around the festival to ensure things run smoothly. You gain a good idea of where things are and of the most prominent competitors. As you pass by tents near where Roughrider is staying, some people begin to recognize you.
"So you're the stand-in's who didn't earn their coin? Just had it handed to you? Interesting. How is ol' Garry anyways? " The reactions are obviously mixed, but none seem less friendly to you than your bunkmates.
At the end of the day, you feel that you have earned a well deserved rest and you settle in to the bunk house. Edelle has trouble sleeping, however. Isolated again from her allies due to her sex, and carrying the group's dragon coin, much rides on her shoulders, to say nothing of the larger picture with the two Kronos. The rest of the group feels a palpable discomfort in the room. The ranch-hands are staying awake in their beds, just watching you. Some times they will ask a question. "From Startville, eh? ...When did you leave?... Hear there was a nasty storm that way about then?..." Eventually, they quiet down and let you rest. You think, perhaps, they are just nervous or excited for the Rodeo in the morning.
You awaken early in the morning as the ranch hands get up to go about their chores. They direct you to a few different things that can be done to help out.
Teriwyth, considering himself quite personable will volunteer for Usher duties.
Alric seems poorly suited to these jobs, but is strong enough, and so will volunteer to load the animals.
Casvian thinks to himself "If my luck is good, my sight won't return until all the work is done."
Casvian awakens in the morning. After chewing on the special herbs he was given for a moment, there is a loud popping noise and his vision returns, like hearing after being underwater, he is back to full capacity just in time for chores.
Casvian awakes and to his surprise he can see. He is so happy, then he remembers the chores. "Oh well I guess the easy life is over." He then goes to find a job that does not involve socializing. Loading the animals from the pens seems like a good idea.
Thervold volunteers to supervise. When that is rebuffed, he reluctantly agrees to become familiar with the schedule and key locations around the area to direct visitors.
With a token in my pocket I figure out where I should attempt to register for the competition. It's a long way to have walked to not attempt to compete.
Thervold directs people about. He revels in the social chaos of sending people off in different directions. The people with dragon coins, Edelle included, are sent toward the table where Teriwynth is set-up. He takes a close look at each coin, checking for counterfeits. He then takes names and statistics of the competitors. Some of the stories these people have about gaining the dragon coins are fascinating. Teriwynth thinks of ways he can spin these stories into his performances. While all of this is going on, Alric and Casvian lead the animals into smaller pens and take individual beasts into the final chute where they are about to be released.
Thervold reaches into his pocket and admires one of the coins that he found in the water just a couple nights ago. Someone in the crowd walks up, looking at the coin. "Ah, you're one of the competitors as well? Going to register right away, I imagine? "
Edelle says hello to Teriwynth as she hands him her dragon coin. She is directed toward the barn where several bunks have been set up. There is also a box for accoutrements at the foot of the bed. Several men and women are already in the barn, and a few more come in behind you. You recognize one of the ranch hands as he comes in. There is a hush that falls over the crowd as a dwarf with a large ornate belt makes his way in and takes the empty bunk on Edelle's right. He introduces himself to you and extends a hand to shake. "Rufus, but people around here call me Roughrider. I'm the winner of the Wyvern Rodeo here three years running. I look forward to competing with you. "
Yeah, I'm expecting it'll be a lot of fun. Nothing like a good honest physical contest, eh?
"Indeed, but you realize, of course, that this is not just a show of strength. No, one must have wit, be quick on their feet, and must be pure of heart. These are the qualities of a true winner. " Roughrider pauses for a moment. "Pardon me, I do tend to preach and philosophize. It's part of the job, I suppose. I'm sorry, but I didn't catch your name Miss...? "
Sorry for being so rude Rufus, I'm Edelle Flexhorn.
And while this rodeo thing is pretty new to me I'll be giving it my best go. With an arching of my back and flourish of dexterity Strength isn't my thing, I'll see how my wit and purity stack up in the competition
Do you have any tips for preparing at this late stage?
Thervold snorts at the thought of entering into the rodeo. Then he begins to wonder what the prize might be for winning and asks one of the competitors.
Roughrider smiles at the woman, clearly impressed by her "I don't think you need my tips, but I have always heard that it is best to calm the mind and think about something else before a test. Fortunately for us, we have the feast tonight to keep us distracted." Roughrider absent-mindedly sets out some ornate robes for the festivities. You recognize these as being the garb of a religious man.
Thervold stops a competitor before he hands in his coin to Teriwynth at the registration table. He asks the young man what the prize is "Well, for starters, you get bragging rights of being the best in the land, but if glory isn't your thing, they say that the magic belt given as a prize protects you from harm. And, of course, there's the cash prize taken from the proceeds here. The coffers are quite full this year with the delay pushing the rodeo back. People are just bursting with excitement Hey! Wait a second, aren't you supposed to be the guy directing people? Shouldn't you know this already? " The young man waves it off and registers with Teriwynth who takes a moment to pat the handsome young man down for any forbidden items and check his bag.
Teriwynth looks at the sun and realizes that it is about time to close up and start the qualifying event. Everyone else seems to be registered. He looks to Thervold, who clutches the last dragon coin in his hand. "Well, are you joining up, or not? "
Looking across the arena, are these the same men who were accosting the wyvern?
At some point Casvian ask anyone with rodeo experience. "Just to be sure I heard things correctly these people are going to be playing with wyverns?"
"They are mean and they eat people, or so I have heard. I don't know much else about them, and that is all that I need to know to justify leaving them alone."
Thervold eyes glisten with the thought of gold and signs up. U
With the last name registered, the horns begin to sound and Thervold barely has enough time to set down at the last bunk before being filed out toward the arena. The crowd is enormous. Maybe a thousand or more people mill about, snacking, conversing, and making merry. Some groups wear like clothing of the same colour. These groups sit nervously together and wave as their corresponding competitor enters the ring to take part in the first event. Before any of this starts, Mama D enters the tower with the announcer. Suddenly, her voice booms over the crowd. "Welcome everyone to the eleventh annual Wyvern Rodeo!" There is much cheering as people hurry to their seats. The crowd settles into quiet after a moment. Mama D speaks again. "I would like to thank you all for coming and I want to wish everyone luck as the days go on. Thank you. " More cheering. Suddenly the voice changes to that of a nasally speaking man. His voice is not unpleasant, but something about it seems fake. "How about another round of applause for Mama D everyone! Yeah! It looks like we're going to have a great competition this year. Now, as you know, each of these athletes has been chosen by the Wyvern herself over the past year. As we go between events, I'll be sharing some stories with you about how these brave men and women came to be awarded with their dragon coins. We will start with the reigning champ, Mr. Rufus RedHammer, but folks around here call him the Roughrider. " With this there is much cheering as Roughrider walks out into the centre of the ring wearing his belt and waving to the crowd.
As the cheering settles down, the voice returns. "Alright folks, without any further adieu, let's get this rodeo started! "
Teriwyth does his duties as Usher but otherwise has no real interest in watching people wrangle Wyverns. He does clap with the rest of the crowd when roughrider tells his story and nods appreciatively.
Casvian takes a break from his chores to ask the other members of the party if they will be entering this rodeo.
Alric, searches for the men from earlier. He's looking for a fight and it shows. If anyone wants to join, they're welcome.
Thervold rolls his eyes at the announcements in the main ring. He stretches preparing to get his part of this awful rodeo over and to win some coin.
"Alric what do you know about Wyverns, and what do we get for fighting them in this rodeo?"
Alric walks purposefully across the walkway in front of the grand-stands, scanning the crowd for any faces he recognizes. Casvian tags along and they come across Teriwynth, looking bored. He joins them for something to stay occupied with, but he can also tell that something is about to happen. The initial scan of the crowd is fruitless, but Alric suspects they are on the opposite side of the arena with the contestants and workers. He, Casvian, and Teriwynth cross over that direction. Alric sees two of the men standing next to the arena drinking as they watch the first rider go. They are conversing casually as the three of you approach.
The first event, bareback riding begins easily enough. The first three competitors successfully remains on the horses for the required eight seconds. Roughrider is next in line and he manages to stay on, but the horse gives him quite a hard time. He manages to pull off a strong landing though, and comes off of the horse with some flare. The next two competitors both fall off in less than four seconds. Finally, Edelle and Thervold are announced and asked to take their place on the horses.
Yeha!
Ride:
Ride:
Ride:
If that 4 is about to throw me of an acrobatics check to land back on the horse (If a monk can't pull off some magic here, who can):
Acrobatics:
If I stay on till the end I attempt a summersault on dismount
Acrobatics:
Wyverns are the lesser cousins of true dragons. They are intelligent, though not particularly bright. Normally Wyverns are aggressive brutes, but here im not so sure. I saw those men messing with one the other day, and it only asked for help. I wasn't able to find out more before it flew off, but I know there is no way a "Wyvern Rodeo" could become a regular event without some cooperation. Even if you could catch a wyvern once, it would come back for blood as soon as it can, and if you kill it, well, they aren't exactly common stock. So most likely, a wyvern is volunteering yearly for this. Which means we have more that a few questions for those louts.
So, do we want to ask first or just shake 'em down?
"I say we should be polite first, and talk to wyvern if possible. If things don't add up then we shake em down."
Ride:
Ride:
Ride:
Thervold clenches his teeth and holds on for dear life. He wishes he was anywhere else other than on this stupid Wyvern and thinks the rewards really aren't worth this. He realizes this might have been a stupid thing to do.
Teriwyth will observe and wince at the appropriate moments.
Edelle is released into the ring with a powerful horse. She thinks that the announcer called it "Highbrow" or something like that. The ride is a thrilling challenge. Her mind races and her body flows along with the movements of the horse...
that is until the last two seconds....
The horse delivers an unexpected twist and Edelle is tossed several feet into the air. She attempts to wing herself back onto the horse, and she very nearly succeeds. Her foot lands back in one stirrup, but the force of her fall means that she can't quite swing back into the saddle. She has one last hope. She drags her one arm along the side of the horse as her body sinks. The horse nearly tips over onto her, but this slow fall is enough to keep her off of the ground for last of the eight seconds. The crowd is in stunned silence for a moment as the judges contemplate. Finally, an announcement: "Ladies and gentlemen, in a marvelous display of skill, Ms. Edelle Flexhorn just barely makes it into the next round! " The crowd roars and stands on their feet for this display of prowess.
Moments later, the ring is cleared and Edelle sees her allies standing by the arena. Alric looks quite upset, but Teriwynth is ready to congratulate her on a successful ride. He winces horribly in time with the crowd. Edelle has just enough time to look back and see Thervold thrown from his mount in the first few seconds out of the gate. He lands flat on his face and gets a mouthful of dirt. Adding injury to insult, the horse he was riding, Karma, bruquely lands on top of Thervold with a stomp that very nearly misses his rib cage. Instead, Thervold has the wind knocked out of him and nearly loses his lunch too. The attendants in the arena quickly get the horse away from Thervold and assist him in getting up out of the arena.
"How about a hand for this young man. Show him your support, he needs it. " The crowd responds with a half-hearted pity clap as Thervold curses all horses forever. "It was a stupid contest anyway. " He whispers under his breath before rejoining his allies outside the ring.
With the group fully assembled, the two ranch hands notice the growing crowd that seem to be watching them. They shift uncomfortably in their boots and try not to make eye contact, but they make no attempt to start conversation other than to tip their hats at Edelle as she approaches.
As the rodeo continues, Roughrider finds Edelle in the crowd. He walks up to her with a wide smile on his face and as soon as he is standing next to her, Edelle feels somehow soothed. "Congratulations, Edelle, that was quite a save you made there. I'm very excited that you will be joining us at the feast tonight. I would be honoured if you would sit next to me." The confidence of this dwarf man is impressive and his intentions seem pure.
After a few moments, the ranch hands finish their drinks and they watch nervously as the next name is called. "Riding our best horse in show, Sliver, is a local man, Ryon. This hometown fellow is sure to have a challenge. " The crowd gasps as the horse comes out, bucks twice and then lopes about like a limp fish. Eight seconds pass and Ryon halts the horse and hops off as though he were on a leisurely ride. The announcer is speechless for a moment and the crowd is unsure of how to react. Finally, the loud voice returns in the air "Ladies and Gentlemen, in a display of horse-whispering only seen in the Humming hills, Mr. Ryon! " At this point, the two other ranch hands look around nervously and move off away from the arena. They are clearly nervous about something.
Alric, opts for the direct approach. Well, just like the old Guild days.
I think we've left something unfinished you and I.
Casvian is standing beside Alric in case things become "less civil".
Feeling pretty lucky, It is always worth putting on a bit of a show. I'd enjoy having someone to chat with during the feast
Now it seems to me that you lot have been rather fortunate. I mean, both accosting a wyvern and not being eaten. Its a generous creature indeed to be here year after year and not simply lash out.
The men have a mixed reaction about your question. " Golly, Buttercup doesn't have much to do with us. Mama D was the one who trained 'er. Right from an egg, they say that she can tame any beast. That girl's as loyal as any animal could ever be. No need to accost anything. "
Roughrider continues to speak to Edelle "Certainly so. I do enjoy a good conversation. I understand that you are a woman of the cloth yourself? To what order do you belong? "
Casvian is not truly convinced, but he does not want to open accuse anyone of anything yet.
sense motive:
Well, i guess that explains why meat's been so expensive.