Hearing that the bidding has begun, a look of worry crosses the gnome's face.
"Oh no! They've started the auction already! I might not make it before everything is gone!"
She turns back to her new bear friend.
"Bror, I have to run off for a bit, but it was a pleasure to meet you. Make sure these little ones don't get themselves into any trouble! I hope to see you again, friend, perhaps in later celebrations."
Jessie will scamper off towards the auction, as quickly as her small legs will carry her. She likely won't make it until the next item is up for bid, though.
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Other than his pale features, Koremar, he appears to be a normal gnome, dressed in brown leather trousers, a white cotton long-sleeved shirt, and a leather vest.
Kreg and Jessarae, as you join the auction, you see a gnome, clearly touched by the bleaching, staring intently at a lovely gnomish lass holding one of six remaining boxes filled with desserts in front of the tent.
A halfling calls out "1 gold, 5 silver" as you arrive, apparently raising the bid, though the gnome immediately raises again, to 2 gold pieces.
All of you get the feeling that Lumi is not interested in the pale gnome and is worried he'll win, a feeling seemingly shared by others in the crowd.
Jessarae:
Kreg:
Koremar:
Asbjorn:
Jessarae searches the bleached gnome's face for signs of ill intent.
Though the others may be uncomfortable with one who is undergoing the dreaded bleaching, that doesn't make him an object of hatred automatically - at least not to Jessie. If he seems cruel, evil, or just plain mean Jessie won't let him win the girl, so if she senses impure intent, she'll bid 3 gold.
She's not interested in these girls... or really any girls for that matter, but the companionship granted by winning a bid need not be romantic. And there are few things she likes more than making friends.
If he's not mean, and is just ostracized for bleaching, she'll stay out of it.
Perplexed and not at all familiar with the gnome's condition the elven magus will very quietly ask Katery
What's wrong with her? She doesnt appear to be having a good time. Id think she'd be happy that her bid is steadily rising. Is there something malign about that gnome?
As soon as Kreg walks in he sees the lovely gnome looking unhappy with her current high bidder. Not knowing exactly what he is bidding on, but desperate to remedy the situation, Kreg yells out a bid "5 gold pieces!!". He has a nice new chunk of change in his pocket that he has no problem parting with.
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Jessarae, you don't think the gnome is necessarily a wonderful person, but you think he just really wants to win this auction and presumably the company of Lumi for an afternoon.
In a whisper, Katery tells Koremar, "Tenzekil is infatuated with her, but she doesn't return his interest and he doesn't seem to be willing to let her go. Oh, I hope someone else outbids him. It would be so sad if she has to spend more the day with him!"
Before anyone else can react, though, a new gnome pushes his way through the crowd, raising the bid to 5 gold pieces. A brief instant of hope flashes on Lumi's face before the bleached gnome again raises his bid, this time to 7 gold pieces.
Before the bleaching-touched gnome outbids him, Kreg sees the girl smile slightly at him. He then notices her full beauty. The dimples make his stomach get butterflies and he begins to dream of getting to know the pretty gnome.
Then he hears the other bid. Kreg is discouraged by the quickness the other bidder outbid him. "TWENTY FIVE GOLD PIECES" he yells with a broad smile. Leaping head first into this bidding war excites him and the thrill of it quickly replaces his high of winning a game he had never played just moments earlier. This is the reason I won that gold! he thinks to himself.
Koremar smiled at the enthusiastic newcomer to the auction who seemed to be even freer with his gold than he'd been and whispered back to Katery.
Well it looks like Tenzekil has met his match and all for the better for your friend Lumi. Will he cause trouble if he loses out? It would be a shame to mar such a joyous occasion with a scene.
Despite what could turn out to be a minor drama the elf was enjoying himself more than he'd thought he would. He hadn't been fond of the elders decision to send him from Kyonin as an emisary as he'd rather been training and forging a tighter bond with Mai'Tahl. But all in all he was glad he'd come to Bellis and the day was yet young...
Tenzekil scowls at Kregimie, but turns and pushes his way back out through the crowd after the 25 gp bid. Lumi's face breaks into a smile as she realizes her afternoon won't be spent with the bleached gnome.
Katery whispers back, "I don't know him well, but I don't think he'll cause any problems. He used to be very popular -- he won the annual honey-harvesting competition six years straight -- but he's gotten a bit odd since he lost to Elyin."
The gnome's departure seems to make the crowd even happier -- you can hear whispers about how Kailah's dowery may set a record, considering it's already at 55 gold -- and the rest of the auction finishes in good spirits.
At the end, a beaming Revas Benwold thanks all in attendence. "The ceremony should begin in about an hour, so please continue to enjoy yourselves. There's dancing and games to pass the time, and of course Shelyn's Grove." The crowd breaks up at the pronouncement, the bridesmaids bringing their desserts to the highest bidders.
Lumi shyly presents her pumpkin bread to Kregimie. "Thank you, stranger, you have saved me," she says with a smile, flashing dimples in both cheeks, before kissing Kreg on the cheek. "I most surely did not want to spend my day with Tenzekil. I'm Lumi Reasonknot."
"Hi Lumi, my name is Kregimie, but my friends call me Kreg. You are very pretty Lumi, and I can't think of a reason not to spend the day with you." he says, with a big grin.
"I do feel sad for the other gnome however, Tenzekil was his name? When I was young I almost succumbed to the Bleaching myself, and very may well had if I were not saved by The Wonderseekers."
Asbjorn continues to take in the festivities enjoying the oddities of this wedding day. Noticing the little gnome whom he had seen playing with Bror, he approaches her and says,"Did he tell you he was the best fisher in all the Lands of the Linnorm?", finishing with chuckle.
The elven magus will cut a slice of apple pie and will pass a plate to Katery and anyone else nearby leaving himself a piece to enjoy.
Katery, this is truly delicious! And a welcome bonus to spending the day with you. What is this Shelyn's Grove Revas mentioned? Do we have to time to visit it before the ceremony?
Lumi blushes at your forthright compliment, Kreg. "Oh, thank you," she says. "Tenzekil's situation is very sad. I'm glad you didn't succumb to the bleaching though, since you're very handsome. What are the Wonderseekers? I've never heard of them." As she talks, she takes your arm and starts leading you away from the tent.
Katery seems pleased that you enjoy the pie, Koremar. "I'm glad you like it. My mother taught me to cook. Shelyn's grove is right over there," she says, gesturing down the path to the east. "I think we can definitely visit before the ceremony. It's a nice place to relax."
As you begin heading that way, you see a pair of gnomes ahead of you also walking in that direction, one of them the girl who made the dessert the bleached gnome was bidding on.
The wide path leads to a maze of thick, ten-foot-tall hedges with songbirds nesting within them. A few wedding guests stand at the entrance, with one or two occasionally venturing into the maze to explore the flower gardens and statuary inside.
As Lumi grabs Kegimie's arm he can't help but feel like he is walking on air. His heart jumps up a bit in his throat as he looks at her. Up close, she is even more beautiful.
"You've never heard of the Wonderseekers? Well, they are a group of gnomes whose only goal is to prevent the Bleeching from happening. They saved my life when I was close to becoming an adult was on a dreary path. They bring joy and adventure. And they mad me into who I am today."
"I need to send word to them about Tenzekil. I'm sure they can help him."
Displaying a more foreign since of proper wedding ettiquette, Asbjorn says, "Be careful,Koremar, lest ye be extendin'g today's festivities, hahaha."
The young gnome smiles at Asbjorn. "He did indeed! A fine bear. Are you the friend he mentioned?"
Koremar laughed at Asbjorn's good natured jibe.
Ive spent my whole life training to be one with my blade and how to meld my spells into a deadly combination. Honestly I wasnt happy about or looking forward to coming to this wedding as it took me away from my training. But now that Im here Im enjoying myself rather well. Elves typically always spend time just enjoying life and Im starting to see why. If course its especially easy with such company as yourself and pretty Katery here. This is turning out to be a great day.
He'll flash Katery a conspiratory wink and smile as they make their way towards the grove.
Lumi seems astonished by your story, Kreg. "I can't believe you were ever at risk of the bleaching. You seem like you have a lot of fun. But it would be wonderful if your Wonderseekers could help Tenzekil. He used to be much happier."
Katery laughs at your comment, Koremar. "You'll risk jinxing it if you talk too openly, but I'm glad you're having fun."
"I am indeed.",he says with a great smile to the little creature before him. "He also has a big mouth and like to talk too much.", he finishes with a laugh.
Looking to Koremar he nods at the elf's wordsand adds,"I ,too, 'ave spent a good deal of my time away from the trappings of society and am quite enjoying some the things I had forgotten."
After a pleasant hour of talking and more merriment, the two bridesmaids leave for the ceremony. Shortly afterward, a sudden swell of music announces the bride and groom’s approach. Kailah and Elyin emerge from the chapel of Shelyn with a lovely human priestess Viviana by their side. Bridesmaids and musicians follow behind. Guests immediately gather in the amphitheater at the center of the grove. Once the procession reaches the gazebo, the priestess, who introduced herself as Viviana Albercroft, announces a song about unexpected love from Shelyn’s Melodies of Inner Beauty. She nods briefly to the musicians for accompaniment and starts to sing.
As the song begins, Asbjorn, Kregimie and Jessarae hear a strange buzzing noise from outside the area, seemingly getting louder.
The three of you can take a full round to react however you'd like.
Knowing that wild things can be of a burden on the less hardy people of the southlands, Asbjorn wisely postioned himself and Bror at the rear of the gathered well-wishers. His ears sensative the ways of nature easily pickup the sound of buzzing drawing nearer with increasing intensity. Giving Bror a hand signal to stay and guard the bride, Asbjorn slips out to investigate the sound.
Kreg is alarmed by the buzzing he hears outside of the tent. He searches his mind for something that he knows about that could be making that sound.
Whatever it is, it doesn't sound right for the occasion. He heads outside to investigate and notices a large man who seems to be curious also.
Jessie is unnerved. No insects should be loud enough to have their buzzing heard above a wedding.
She too will attempt to think of what might sound this way
She decides, whatever this may be, better prepared than caught unawares. She has the power to help, and if her power is needed, she shall use it.
She casts Sanctuary on herself
Jessarae, you get some odd looks as you cast a spell in the middle of the ceremony but before anyone else has time to react any farther, Viviana suddenly stops in mid-song, gasping in pain and swatting a bee on her forearm. A low, booming buzz then erupts from the treeline behind her as thousands more bees rise into the air. The roiling mass of insects heads straight into the gathered crowd, eliciting screams of terror.
The crowd begins to scatter, screaming as the wedding suddenly descends into chaos.
Round 1
The bee swarms move to the front of the wedding area, sending the guests screaming and running. A number of guests collapses in pain as the stinging creatures cover the front of the tent, while Elyin hurries his new bride and her bridesmaids into the gazebo, for whatever dubious shelter the open-air structure may provide.
By Desna! What is going on? Stay with me Katery.
The elf will keep a firm grip on the lasses hand and try to move with the crowd to get away from the bees.
Jessie's eyes narrow as innocent guests - friends - fall. She is not a creature of offense, but she hopes a few around her may be.
Looking inward to her connection to Life she uses her force of will to increase the vivaciousness of those who might repel these wayward insects. The motions and words come instinctively.
She casts Bless
She will move to the entrance to the gazebo to try and block the bees from entering (her destination is likely next to wherever Koremar ends up)
You don't believe you can affect bees, Asbjorn. (I'll resolve round one as soon as you let me know what you want to try instead.)
Knowing the hive mind of bees does not function like that of a higher animal, Asbjorn calls on the inner power of the bear. A brilliant light suddenly engulfs the hulking man and leaves in his place a giant bear. A roar of fury erupts from his massive maw and he rushes to place himself between the bees and the gazebo. "Bror, follow me. We may be able to get them out of here before the swarm engulfs them."
Rest of round 1
People continue to flee, some diving into the creek to get away from the bees, as Kregimie runs for his spear and Koremar moves to the front of the gazebo.
Their screams only seem to intensify as the two bears advance into the stands toward the bees and wedding party. The crowds are so thick that you aren't able to reach the gazebo right away.
Jessarae, the crowd makes it difficult to move as you're jostled even with the benefit of the sanctuary spell. Moving between the two swarms, you're also unable to immediately reach the gazebo through the press of people.
Koremar will draw Mai'Tahl as he continues to move towards the gazebo.
Kreg grabs his spear and sees the chaos the bees are causing with the crowd. He runs to the gazebo to see if he can get Lumi (and anyone else) to safety.
Here's the map at the start of the second round.
Koremar was frustrated that he couldnt help the people unlucky enough to be caught in the swarms ire and felt exposed without his armor. As he took up position between the bees and the wedding party in the gazebo he cast shield to afford himself more protection.
Jessie, not sure how to deal with a swarm, will cast Create Water and dump 14 gallons of water on the eastern swarm, hoping that the water might have some effect. She will continue to make her way to the gazebo, pushing through the crowd as best she can.
Knowing from his and Bror's time in the forest raiding hives for honey that there is no good way to deal with this many bees other than to get out of there area or create a lot of smoke. "We need to get these people out of here, Bror!, he shouts to his companion. Seeing he'll only risk the lives of the other guest if he uses any form of spell it becomes evident that getting the bride and groom out of the area is the only answer.
"Follow me, Bror. You get as many of the small ones as possible and I'll take the larger folks.
With that the two bears turn toward the gazebo again in hope that they will be able to save them from the swarm.
As one of the swarms continues to move south, stinging guests, the other seems to turn and move back to the north, and the wedding party.
Koremar's presence seems to stop the stinging creatures for the moment, unfortunately, though only because many of them settle on the elven warrior, sting exposed areas of his flesh.
Asbjorn and Bror start trying to get the guests out of the way, but it seems to only cause more confusion among the panicked guests. Still, most of the benches have cleared at this point, either because people have fled or been overcome, and you think you will soon be able to move freely against the swarms.
With the bees now in the way, Jessarae and Kregimie are stopped short of joining the other guest who appears to be trying to protect the wedding party. Many of them seem to flee from the gazebo but Elyin can't move quickly with his bad leg and his new bride doesn't seem willing to leave his side. Jessarae casts, and a deluge of water suddenly falls on one of the swarms, scattering the bees, at least for the moment.
Several of his groomsmen also remain, as does the priestess who was leading the ceremony, and who channels divine energy to try to protect the people of Bellis. [ooc]1 point of healing, Koremar.[/dice] One of the groomsmen, his small ceremonial dirk drawn, hollers, "Get the tent; we can use it to smother them!"
Seeing that the guest are as panicked by the sight tow bears nearly as much as they are by the bees, Asbjorn decides it may work to scare the them in a direction that will add some semblence of order to their retreat. Standing on his hind legs,his huge form towers over all in attendance. Positioning himself so as to direct traffic toward the bridge he lets out a mighty roar.
Having never dealt with such a foe before, Koremar had no idea on how to deal with it but he didnt like being stung so many times so he lashed out with his sword.
Attack -
Damage -
Confirm Crit -
Damage -
Kreg sees his chance when the water appears out of no where and drenches the swarm of bees. He continues running toward the wedding party in hopes of helping Lumi escape the chaos.
Round 3
The swarm of bees in the benches seems scattered by the sudden deluge from the water, but quickly begins to reform, and looks ready to menace the area again in a matter of seconds.
The other moves foward slightly into the gazebo, where it is still able to sting Koremar, but also the priestess Viviana, Elyin, his bride and his groomsmen, who begin screaming in pain.
Asbjorn, your actions seem to work and the guests start fleeing in the direction you want, away from the bees, clearing the area so you can move freely now.
Kregimie, you manage to interpose yourself between the bees and the fleeing wedding party, but it appears as if the other swarm, recovering from its soaking, is moving in your direction.
Jessarae, seeing the deluge of water worked well, quickly casts the orison again, soaking the bees in the gazebo -- as well as Koremar and the remaining celebrants.
Koremar, while you think you managed to kill a few bees, your sword seems to have no effect on the overall swarm, as there are too many insects to count. You suspect at the rate you're killing bees, it would take all the years you are allotted as an elf to disperse the swarm this way.