Delicious smells emanate from the large canvas tent situated just south of the gazebo where Elyin and Kailah are sitting. Partygoers frequently come and go, carrying wooden plates of fried fish and barbecued pork with cups of honeymead. Around the back, smoke rises from several cookfires. Under the canopy of this pitched tent, more party guest are gathered. As you approach, you hear the voice of Revas Benwold, one of the councilors of Bellis.
"My, my....10 gold pieces for this lovely looking honeyed pumpkin bread, prepared by the equally lovely looking Miss Lumi Reasonknot. A very handsome bid indeed....any higher?....Come now, all you fine fellows out there....Don't be shy.....This would certainly be gold well spent.
You notice that Revas Benwold seems to be stalling, as if he would very much like to see someone outbid the current bidder.
Upon entering the tent, it is clear that the auction is almost over. Only one bridesmaid remains, a beautiful young gnome maiden. She smiles a bit uncomfortably, as she stands behind a box decorated with motives of flowers, bees, birds and bee-hives. The box is filled with delicious looking pumpkin bread. All the other bridesmaids, four human girls, a halfling and a half-elf, have moved to stand with the men who must have won the bids for their desserts. Most of the men have happy grins on their faces, and more than one is nibbling away at the delicacies while watching the last auction.
When Halek hears Revas call out the bid, he whistles softly. "Ten gold! I knew Lumi was the favorite, both in regards to beauty and cooking skills, but still...the bids almost never go above five gold pieces. I wonder who..." He breaks off mid sentence, as he spots a pale gnome standing in the middle of the tent. Even though the tent is packed, this gnome has space around him, as if the other guests in the tent are reluctant to stand too close to him. He is clearly suffering from the gnomish condition know as The Bleaching, which has caused the color to drain out of him.
Halek mutters an orcish curse under his breath. "Tenzekil! I should have known. He has been pining after her for years, but she never cared for him much. He always was a bit weird, especially since he lost the annual honey-harvesting competition to Elyin two years past. That's what made him go all ghostly pale, ya know..."
Just as Halek finishes, Revas Benwold clears his throat and speaks up once more. "The bid stands at ten gold pieces from Mr. Tenzekil Braybittle....going once...."
Everyone in the tent turns to look at Taecuss.
Lumi lights up in a smile obviously filled with hope and gratitude.
Tenzikel, on the other hand, scowls worse than a brewing thunderstorm and before Revis even has a chance to respond, he barks "Twenty-one!"
They just need to be around you long enough to get past your heroic exterior to the gentleman that certainly lies below.
See, I long ago figured out that the secret is enough honey-mead... Meycho says, as they enter the tent, stopping to take in the sights...and smells.
Seeing the exchange before him, Meycho whistles, then jumps onto an empty stool to better be able to see. 25 golden eagles! My friend here owes me that amount for beating me at the horseshoe game.
Caelin glanced at Miss Lumi at the front of the room.
He took in the Taecuss's bid and the pale gnome's response.
"Does Taecuss know this person? He looks angry. What's going on?" he wondered.
"Does Taecuss know this person? He looks angry. What's going on?" he wondered.
Hmmm... It seems we have missed most of the fun!
Jervaise nudges Meycho.
"Well, it looks like there might be something for you here, after all."
At Meycho's suggestion, Jervaise' adopts an expression of mock-horror.
"Is that so? In our line of work, you are either lucky or dead, and I am still breathing! I can't help it if Talmandor smiles upon me...
However, I would not dream of standing in your way, so I certainly will not bid against you... Good luck with the bidding!"
"Twenty-five gold eagles! What a marvelous bid. And we are not even done yet...anyone wish to go higher"? Revas Benwold calls out in a delighted voice.
Tenzikel stands for a moment, glaring from one to the other.
Caelin cocked an eyebrow at Taecuss, along with a friendly smile, as if to say "Go ahead. Why not?".
Goodluck watches impassively. He's never been good at reading landfolk, but something about that pale gnome's look has him feeling on edge.
Sense Motive
Revas points to Tae. "Twenty-eight, from the elven gentleman in the back. Any higher....going once.
Jervaise continues to watch the unfolding bidding war with a great deal of amusement.
"Come now, gentlemen; surely the opportunity to savour such a delight is worth more than 28 golden eagles! The pumpkin bread alone appears delightful enough to warrant such a price, but the opportunity to spend some time in conversation with such a heavenly creature as well should make it simply irresistible!"
Thirty gold for the divinely smelling pie and the beautiful lady!
"Thirty! Certainly that must be the winning bid. Going once.....going twice....Revas says with a clap of his hands.
None of the other people in the tent appear to be interested in bidding. Even Tenzikel stands silently, after glancing at his purse. It's all between Meycho and Tae.
Caelin raises his hands and prepares for the customary "soft clap with smiles and nods" that seem to always follow such speeches at a box social.
Goodluck shakes his head at the bidding spectacle. "You have strange customs here. Even your auction turns into a contest!"
"Thirty wins the bid! Congratulations, son. Now come up here and claim your prize." Revas booms in a delighted voice. The audience erupts in cheers and whistles, somewhat more enthusiaicly than is custom for the Box social.
As soon as Revas makes his proclamation, Tenzikel turns and rudely shoves his way through the crowd, while muttering about adventurers with more gold than sense. He exits the tent and heads away, vanishing from sight among the wedding guests.
Lumi smiles brightly and stands waiting for Meycho to approach. As he reaches her, she hands him the basket of pumpkin bread and leans forward to plant a demure kiss on his cheek. "I hope you enjoy these. I' most honored by your generous bid," she says in a melodic voice. A hint of relief also registers clearly.
'Tis but a small price to pay for good food and pleasant company, Meycho says as he bows gracefully. I hope you will share a glass of honeymead with me, while I sample your fine bakery. Tell me, who was that man, whom I outbid? Do you know him?
Caelin smiled widely at the rousing response to the winner, surprised but pleased by the enthusiasm. He nodded in assent to Goodluck’s comment, leaning over to add “Strange customs indeed. It is why I prefer to remain in the wild: less to remember and fewer things to step in!”
Lumi sends Meycho another radiant smile, and runs off for a second to fetch a jug of honeymead and cups for everyone. "Here. Revas' honeymead goes very well with my pumpkin bread, and there is certainly enough for all of you. You must be friends of Elyin. From his adventuring days, I should think by the look of you."
Her smile fades a bit when Meycho mentions the bleachling gnome that bid so eagerly against him and Tae. "Tenzikel Braybittle is a local beekeeper. He..." She blushes a bit and chews her lower lip nervously before continuing. "He has been in love with me for as long as I can remember. But despite his efforts to woe me, I simply do not have the same feelings for him. He is really a nice enough gnome, even if he's a little odd. But he's changed lately, ever since Elyin won the annual honey harvesting contest two years ago. Now he....I don't know. I just get shivers down my spine whenever he looks at me."
She rubs her arms and shakes her head as if to clear it, and then brings a smile back on her lips. "oh well....we shall not talk another word of him. With your generous bid, I have raised more money for Kailah than all the other bridesmaids combined. No bride as long back as I can remember have had such a splendid dowry. You have certainly earned both my bread and my company. I would be delighted if you would dance with me after the ceremony," she says to Meycho.
"A most worthy thought, good elf. But let me assure you that all of the other bridesmaids received bids they can be proud of. In any event, I would not recommend adding to the dowry, as it could be seen as an insult to the young men who won the bids.If you have gold burning a hole in your purse, I'm certain that you can find some among the guests who are up for a wager in a game of skill or chance." Revas says to Tae.
In the hustle and bustle following the conclusion of the Box social, a couple of hardy looking lumberjacks approach the group.
"Oi, 't was you lot who did good at horseshoes, wasn't it? Of course, anyone can throw a horseshoe. How would you like to show your skills at throwing with something a bit more...manly? one of them says with a cheerful grin.
Jervaise turns to the lumberjacks with a broad grin.
"Indeed we were. I would certainly be up for it; tell me, do you do the caber toss? That would certainly be a fine display..."
Goodluck peers at the lumberjack curiously. "You wish us to throw men? Will dey be men of your size or larger? Is dis a common game in your land?"
Cailin suppressed a laugh at Goodluck's naive comment, not wanting to offend the foreigner. He smiled broadly, though and said "We'll most likely be throwing out our backs, but I'm up for the challenge."
The lumberjack lets out a rowdy laugh at Goodluck's comment "No-one will be throwing men. Your friend here's got it right. It is indeed the caber-toss I'm talking about. You know the games of this region better than your companion, half-elf. Well, come on then." He turns and exits the tent, leading you to an open square of grass behind the rose gardens.
A group of lumberjacks are laying out massive logs, and marking off a pitch with wooden pegs.
Lumi sends Meycho another radiant smile, and runs off for a second to fetch a jug of honeymead and cups for everyone. "Here. Revas' honeymead goes very well with my pumpkin bread, and there is certainly enough for all of you. You must be friends of Elyin. From his adventuring days, I should think by the look of you."
Her smile fades a bit when Meycho mentions the bleachling gnome that bid so eagerly against him and Tae. "Tenzikel Braybittle is a local beekeeper. He..." She blushes a bit and chews her lower lip nervously before continuing. "He has been in love with me for as long as I can remember. But despite his efforts to woe me, I simply do not have the same feelings for him. He is really a nice enough gnome, even if he's a little odd. But he's changed lately, ever since Elyin won the annual honey harvesting contest two years ago. Now he....I don't know. I just get shivers down my spine whenever he looks at me."
She rubs her arms and shakes her head as if to clear it, and then brings a smile back on her lips. "oh well....we shall not talk another word of him. With your generous bid, I have raised more money for Kailah than all the other bridesmaids combined. No bride as long back as I can remember have had such a splendid dowry. You have certainly earned both my bread and my company. I would be delighted if you would dance with me after the ceremony," she says to Meycho.
I see the matter disturbs you and I will not talk of him again. I will however hold you to that promise of a dance later, he says with a reassuring smile, placing his hand on hers briefly in a comforting manner. Yes we, or at least I and that fellow over there, are old travelling buddies of Elyin, though it has been a while since he's graced us with his company. And by the look of things, he'll be hard-pressed to slip away on another adventure now...at least with us. I guess he's going on another sort of adventure now and that is as it should be.
The lumberjack, who introduces himself as Goodwin, demonstrates the game.
* First, he grabs the 15 ft. long log and with a mighty grunt, he heaves it into upright position.
* Once he has lifted the log, he balances it in his hands as he lines up and prepares to toss it.
* Finally, Goodwin pushes upward and sends the caber flying. It turns end-over-end in the air and lands a couple of feet away, pointing away from him at almost a straight angle.
Halak the half-orc blacksmith agrees to serve as a judge. Lumi also comes along, and takes a seat on a bench by the rose garden hedges, a little distance away from the game.
Goodluck eyes the heavy logs suspiciously. "I will try this game, though I do not know wheder I will be any good at it. Dere's not much like dis on the seas, lads."
Strength Check #1:
Goodluck tries the log, but is unable to get it upright without help. "I concede dis game. Perhaps you got a game dat's a bit less strength and a bit not falling off t'ings? I can do dat one, I s'pose."
Truly impressed by the caber-tossing abilities of the Elven bard, Jervaise lets out a hearty laugh, and gives him a good-natured slap on the back.
He then moves over to the pile of logs, and with a grunt, easily hefts one of the logs, carrying it over to the starting position.
Lining the log up, he nearly drops it, but just manages to retain his grip...
Before hefting the log into the air with a mighty bellow!
The log tumbles end over end through the air, before landing on the ground with a resounding thud, bouncing back and rolling slightly off-center as it does so.
Shrugging, Jervaise turns to the other contestants with a broad grin on his face.
"Right then, who's next?"
Caelin gives an appreciative whistle at Jervaise's performance and moves into position.
"I'll take a shot, but I don't know that I can beat that!"
He spits on both hands and squats into position.
Too much spit! he realizes in alarm and the log rolls out of his hands and falls on his foot.
He bows politely to the hoots and howls of laughter and makes an exaggerated play of slinking off the field in shame.
He turns to Jervaise with a grin. "See, I told you I couldn't beat that!"
I think this game is highly unfair, but I can't have Jervaise beat me in two games without even trying on of them. Someone call for a gravedigger, if I drop this on myself, Meycho says, eyeing the heavy log with a sceptical expression on his face.
Bending at the knees, so as to not throw his back, he grips the log with both hands, barely able to even get a hold, then lifts while letting out a low groan.
Surprised he is even able to lift the log, he lets out a staggered hey...this...isn't...*phew*...so heavy...after all...
Meycho then balances the log, something that's more to his halfling nature than lifting trees.
Taking careful aim, he sends it into the air, almost making a full round, before it lands on one end, bouncing and rolling a little.
Hey, Jervaise, if my log had been just slightly smaller, I'd have beaten you...let's call it a draw, he says with a wink, before bowing to the gathered spectators.
The crowd needs little encouragement from Tae to cheer and holler at each attempt. The failures of Goodluck and Caelin draws bouts of mirthful laughter, while especially Jervaise and Meycho receive claps and congratulatory shouts for their fine throws.
Goodwin the lumberjack wipes tears of mirth from his eyes. "Ah, what a bunch of good sports you are...but I think 'tis a good thing that our elven ranger here spends his time stalking through the woods rather than trying to chop them down. Who would have thought that a halfling would be better at handling a log. You could earn you way on any Lumber Consortium crew, wee one."
The Lumber Consortium is a company which has a monopoly on the hardwood and darkwood lumber industry in Andoran. A remnant of the past when Andoran existed as a Chelish holding, the Lumber Consortium has seen its wealth and influence decline with the coming of democracy. Nonetheless, the Lumber Consortium continues to exert great pressure on smaller and weaker regions and communities, particularly in the less developed areas of the nation.
"It was fortunate you were all game. We were hoping to compete against a bunch of lads from one of the Consortium crews who are camped out in the woods west of here, but they did not show up. Which is strange, cause these boys are not much for missing the chance for free beer, sport and dance..." Goodwin continues.
After Meycho's throw, the crowd cheer again as another of the lumberjacks steps up and prepares to lift the caber.
Through the noise of the crowd, you suddenly become aware of two voices some distance away. You recognize them as Tenzikel's and Lumi's.
Tenzikel:...must come with me, Lumi. It is not safe here.
Lumi: Tenzikel, for the last time, leave me alone. I'm not going anywhere with you, and certainly not right before the wedding!
Tenzikel: Lumi, my darling, you don't understand...The Queen..
Lumi: Don't you "Darling" me, Tenzikel! I understand perfectly well. This is just another of your crazy stories, designed to lure me away with you. But it won't work...
Turning towards the sound, you spot Lumi still sitting on the bench near the rose gardens. The bleachling gnome Tenzikel is standing next to her, looking very agitated.
Will Save + hidden modifiers
Spellcraft + hidden modifiers
Tenzikel turns towards Taecuss and gives him a glare filled with equal parts rage and scorn. "Your pitiful magic is of no use against me, you pointy-eared buffon! I "suggest" you bugger off and play with your friends again. You will all learn soon enough!
With that, Tenzikel spins around and pushes his way through the tall hedges of the rose garden, vanishing from sight.
The hedges are so thick that they should have been impossible to move through unharmed - at least without magical means.
Jervaise gives Meycho a not-so-subtle nudge, which nearly sends him flying.
"I think you did well indeed, Master Meycho!"
Hmmm... It sounds as if there might be trouble brewing...
Perception:
Goodluck watches the gnome and elf spar, and as watches as the gnome stalks off. Sliding up to the elf, he murmurs "What sort of Queen does a gnome serve?"
Lumi appears flustered and somewhat embarrassed by the argument with Tenzikel and Tae's intervention. After Tenzikel storms off, she manages to regain her composure and sends Taecuss a weak smile.
"I would gladly accept your company. I really thought he would leave me alone after he lost the auction, but he seems desperate to lure me away. I don't know what could have caused him to change like this. Maybe it is just the bleaching, but..."
She lets her voice trail off and shakes her head sadly. Overhearing Goodluck's question, she says "I don't know what Queen he is talking about. The only Queens around here are Queen Bees. Of course, Tenzikil IS a bee-keeper by trade. Maybe he meant one of them."
As the rest of the group gathers round, you suddenly hear the bells of the chapel announce that the time has come for the wedding ritual. People begin to move towards the chapel, and Lumi hurries off to perform her duties as a bridesmaid.
Shaking his head at the thought of the poor gnome gone mad and convinced that he's serving a Bee Queen, Goodluck joins the line heading to the chapel.