As the rest of the team discusses and meet a new member, Edelle attempts to grapple the steer and bring it down into submission. She dives at the beast, but her strength is not enough to bring the animal down. Finally, after moments of struggling, she must let the creature go, knowing that it is too late. She holds her head high despite the loss, happy to have been able to show her skills. She reunites with the rest of the group as they discuss the events with the child, Troy, and get to know Guthar.
Guthar waits, wanting to know more about what is going on, since it seems at least one member has no interest in saving anyone.
The contest continues behind you. Sly is up and his animal seems particularly docile, almost dopey. He handles it with no issue.
I'm good.
I'm good
Watching Sly ride a doped up animal again, a change comes across Alric's face. "You know, Ive had it with these guys. We need to show that they can't push people around, us specifically. Im changing my mind, lets take 'em down hard.
I've gotta say, Alric, they do appear to be pretty petty. I mean every possible way to defeating the steer was legal and they still decided that rigging the game was worth while.
That's pretty low
I'm willing to do what is necessary but we must move forward and soon.
We hit them on our way out. Either get the kid or a hostage to exchange. No holds barred, no announcing ourselves, and try to separate one of them if possible. Which it should be, during the ceremony. Guther, you joining in? I know you have no personal stake.
Casvian bows out at this point, his motivations are hard to tell, but he leaves without a word, perhaps lost to the wind.
The second activity of the night is the young run. The young folk of the area are allowed into the arena to chase a number of baby animals with tags tied loosely onto them. As the chase ensues, a handful of the children get a hold of the tags and win a few nice prizes, including a magic bobble that talks back to you in a silly voice.
As the young run continues on, the crowd seems the most interested in the arena and relaxed at the same time. There is something about children playing that calms the spirit, Roughrider observes, half to himself.
"I am in. Sorry to see your archer go, but maybe he has done his part here, and the world needs him somewhere else."
Fate calls us all in its time.
The final event is an amazing show to watch. Buttercup is brought into the arena in all of her glory. She is an intimidating beast to be sure. One at a time, each of the remaining contestants (of whom there are now three) is brought into the arena. The objective is to dominate Buttercup in whatever way will be most appealing to the judges. Points are given for talent, creativity, speed, and difficulty.
Roughrider is up first. He is in full battle armour and wields a ranseur. He dodges Buttercups strikes a few times upon entering the arena, and then sets about distracting her by throwing rocks. Finally, when her guard is down, Roughrider jumps on the Wyvern's back and spurs her. The beast bellows before taking off into the air under his direction. He brings Buttercup around the arena and sets down next to the judges table before dismounting.
Sly is the next contestant. He seems much less confident than his usual. He wields light armour and a buckler and net. He throws the net right away, but to no avail. Sly then reaches into a belt pouch and pulls out a smokestick. He breaks the stick against his knee and blinds the crowd to his actions. Your group is particularly nervous as they know well that this is a great opportunity for Sly to cheat in some way. When the smoke clears, Sly has Buttercup wrapped in the oversized net by all appearances. She moves incredibly quickly and breaks loose though. It is hard to keep track of her movements. They seems almost to blur.
The final contestant is a spellcaster who has made his way up through the competition so far using wit and intelligence. He comes in and attempts to mesmerize Buttercup with illusions, but to no avail.
Later that day, after a short interim for the judges to discuss and tally points, the final award ceremony. "Ladies and Gentlemen your attention please! Would the contestants of the final competition please make their way to the arena stage to hear the results? " The three men arrive on stage, each looking hopefully at the judges and nervously around them.
"In third place, Jim Darkmagic of the Newhampshire Darkmagics!" The spellcaster comes up with a sour look on his face, but thanks the judges anyways and takes his consolation prize.
And now the moment we've all been waiting for... Your winner of the 10th annual Wyvern Rodeo is...
"In third place, Jim Darkmagic of the Newhampshire Darkmagics!"
Would I know of the Newhampshire Darkmagics?
Teriwyth makes his way through the crowds up to Jim Darkmagic, with eyes full of wonder he takes out his spellbook and says "Mr Darkmagic, my name is Teriwyth. If it's not too much trouble could you sign the cover of my Spellbook?"
Jim, still steaming from his loss, gives you a quick glare, before realizing what you have just requested. He quickly casts arcane mark on the cover of your spellbook. His symbol is a ferret wearing a monocle and tophat.
With the suspense at its peak, and a dramatic pause, the announcer grabs Roughrider's hand and pulls it up into the air. "The Roughrider! Rufus Redhammer! Congratulations! How do you feel? " At this news, Sly's eyes widen and his indignation is almost tangible. He storms off stage without even taking his prizes, heading towards the bunkhouse. The rest of his posse is not too far behind.
This might be our time, Sly looks like hes about to do something rash.
Sly goes into the bunkhouse and the rest of the group stands outside guarding the doorway. They see you watching them, and they brandish weapons this time. Clark sends you a message using his spell "Back off, you've already one. " Sly comes out a moment later with a key ring. He then proceeds to a nearby storage shed and unlocks the door. Out from that door falls an unconscoius Troy. Sly carries him over to you cautiously, with his gang at the ready. "Here. Little runt did his job. It's just a little drow poison, he'll wake up in an hour or so. " With that Sly turns to leave.
Alric just glares sullenly at Sly's back.
I guess maybe people really aren't worth saving.
He turns to the group with a sigh.
Lets just go, we're on the clock
Your group packs up and heads further east, in the direction indicated by Roughrider's investigation, and in continuation of Kronos' request. You reach barren hillsides. The farm and ranch land falls away and you find yourselfs in the unsettled areas of the Humming Hills.
X
20 feet
X X X
20 feet
X
x=Characters
The top and bottom would be lined up with the X in the middle.
If we come to an area where being that far apart would cause the people in the front and back to lose sight of each other then we tighten the formation up.
PS:I think those ear plugs were a hint from the GM.
Will save:
edit:Are we going to buy mounts?
Upon our departure I bid farewell to the kind folk who fed and sheltered us, and paying special attention to Mama D and Roughrider. I make sure to ask where their plans are for the rodeo in case we happen to be in the area, wishing them well on their future endeavors.
Knowledge (Any)
Will Save
As they near the area Teriwyth informs everyone "This area is interestingly enough famous as it's name would suggest from the constant hum that seems to permeate the air." Thinking of the best way to phrase it Teriwyth pauses for a moment before proceeding "Here's a fun fact, oftentimes the trade routes that lead through here often use undead as labor, the men in charge of these folks use earplugs to keep out the constant hum that apparently drives people insane. A slightly lesser known fact, it's populated by mad giants that enjoy preying upon travelers. All in all, a very interesting place to be."
"I guess I will be picking up earplugs then."
Earplugs sounds good. Should we see about a zombie horse?
Earplugs sounds good. Should we see about a zombie horse?
"That would indeed be an elegant solution to the problems we'd be facing in the way of regular horses. I mean there is no way we'd find earplugs big enough."
We could just cut off the ears of the horses... but I guess we don't have time for the healing. What? Don't look at me that way. I was joking. Can we get a zombie horse?
A number of folks preparing to leave the rodeo have extra earplugs that they are readily willing to sell for the standard price. You also come across a few men with skeletal and zombified horses. Some are willing to part with these mounts for the right price. With the large attendance at the rodeo, you have a few options.
The base cost to buy a horse raised using animate dead(skeletons and fast zombies) is: 400GP.
An amulet of control (to command the undead ongoing) is: 100GP.
A regular zombie horse (moves half speed) is: 250GP.
Carts wagons etc. are at normal cost and readily available.
Finally, there is a man who offers you a one way passage for a greatly reduced rate. For 50GP, he will direct his skeletal horse to march east until it reaches the town in the marshlands. There, another man will retrieve the skeletal horse. The downside of this method being that without direction, the horse will march without breaks and that any problems encountered along the way may halt the creature altogether.
You may select your mounts from these. Note also: zombie horses are much less in style as skeletons tend not to smell. and the bones are often painted in bright decorations.
At Teriwynth's questions, Mama D clarifies: "Oh the rodeo's not going anywhere. It'll be here same as always next year. " She pauses, looking stoically off into the distance North. "If there is a next year, that is. "
Roughrider tells you that he will be returning to duty in Royaleton after a short investigation into activities recently reported to the west.
I don't think we have the cash to turn cavalry, but if we get a cart, a single horse would let us travel nonstop.
"I can get us a fast zombie or skeleton horse with the amulet if the rest of you pay for the carriage."
Alric picks up two sets of earplugs, redundancy payed off in the past. He also looks around to find if there might be a way to replace the periscope he lost to the drow.
I'll chip in for the cart.
Two sets of ear plugs sounds (haha) good to me as well.
Yeah let's get a cart - Tossing in some coin.
Alric looks for anyone who is looking to buy a bow. Trade in for the cart would be fine.
You are able to find someone willing to part with his periscope for the standard market price.
Mama D looks your group over before you go. " You folks have been a good asset to me, and you helped make things run relatively smoothly. I thank you, and this is in payment for your extra help. " She offers you a bag to split containing 150 GP, and 5 dragon coins for next year's rodeo.
Thanks, and watch out for Sly, hes more trouble than you realize.
Holding up the Dragon Coin, he adds And there will be a next year.
"Keep your bow. I will cover the carriage also. I would hate to see us in trouble because we need for you to have that bow." Guthar says to Alric.
Its quite all right, I have another
As Guthar and Alric politely debate, the vendor pipes up "Look friend, I'll solve this for you. I'm not a hunter or a warrior myself, so though that's a nice bow, I'll take up this gentleman's offer on the gold. Enjoy your cart. Take her easy around the turns. "
Your group is reassembled after taking an aside to compete in some local festivities. You prepare for a dangerous journey across the Humming Hills by making some essential purchases. Once your group has departed and reached an isolated point, Kronos, the Ancient appears before you. His is an image of frailty at this moment. He does not pull himself from the ether, but instead, he approaches you hobbling from the distance, gesturing you closer.
"This land. Something here. It weakens me. You must find this power. Use it. For that which can harm me can surely harm my protégé. I cannot help you directly from here. You must know though that I am working to aid you though you may not always see it. Here. " He stands upright shortly and gestures towards the group after taking some laboured breaths. His voice speaks with a booming resonance, that seems to clash with the ringing of the crystals that protrude from the ground. "GROW!" Each of you is encased in light and you feel your muscles being stimulated. Your minds race and your blood boils. Finally, the effect ceases. You are not entirely sure how, but you feel stronger now. Kronos stumbles back and clutches his staff for support. "That is the last I can do for you before you leave my immediate guard. Good luck. " Kronos then begins to hobble away back into the distance.
You load up your cart and hitch up to a fast zombie named Bruno. The smell is already quite potent, but at least it isn't a hot day. As you wave goodbye to your friends, Guthar activates the amulet of control and commands the horse onward.
Shortly along the road, the ringing noise is very strong. Your earplugs help to drown out the worst of the noise, but idle chat is nearly impossible. Already, Teriwynth begins to complain about a headache. He is agitated and can't stop thinking about the ringing.
The first day otherwise passes without incident. You halt for the night and set up camp.
This infernal noise is driving me insane! When will this stop?!?!