"These items were on these two" Kito says, indicating the bag she holds. "The wand I believe to be their leader's bonded object." she explains as she points to Velriana. Pointing to Khelru and Azaz, she says "These two surrendered and still have their equipment on them."
"What is to be done with them, if I might ask?"
Kito will hand the equipment over if one of the priests or guards indicate she should.
Turel relinquishes custody of Velriana without a word and notes the presence of the guards.
"Commander Nakht Shepses! It's an honor meeting the commander of the Voices of the Spire." Harmose offers his hand to the man. "Like Kito said, we'd be grateful to keep informed."
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One of the priests indicates that Kito should turn over the equipment, and one of the guards walks over to receive them. "Thank you. We'll make sure to handle it with care", one of the priests says about Velriana's arcane bond. "You have our gratitude for the work you have done. As for what will become of the offenders, it is not known yet. We must first establish the extent of their violations, and for that, we would appreciate a most thorough accounting of what your group has discovered in relation to them. Based on what we can ascertain, those higher in our hierarchy will then render their judgment."
"I really think Velriana had a lot to do with pushing them all to do what they did."
"I understand your intent is good", Khelru interjects to Aleris, "but I am a grown man who made his own decisions. Velriana didn't push me into anything. She can be bad at the mouth but her cause was just. I remain convinced that our cause was righteous --"
"Save it for the trial, scum", Nakht Shepses growls as he grabs Khelru by the shoulder and somewhat roughly shoves him off to the side. Meanwhile, the other guards move the Scorched Hand away from you as well and off to the side, carefully watched.
"Hey, nothing personal, right?" Idorii calls out to your group as she's ushered away. "It was just a job. A girl's gotta make a living."
With Harmose's diplomatic overtures Aid Anothered by Aleris you hit a 24 Diplomacy roll, which is just barely enough to turn Nakht Shepses from Unfriendly to Indifferent. "Hrm", he first just grunts in a 'get away from me' sort of way, but the further libation with skilled words melts his rough exterior a little. "All right. I will keep your interest in mind. In any case we will probably need to interview some of your group for additional details for this investigation. You should have a small delegation of your group drop by in the next day or two."
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Glancing over at the others Hmm, apparently that man is important? I will have to ask about him later. He might be offended if I ask later.
Biting her tongue to keep the grin back when Khelru cannot be bothered to keep his mouth shut. Letting her grin out Deseri smiles at Nakht Shepses, "I would be more than happy to come back and answer questions." Maybe if I am good they will let me in Khelru's cell and I can kick him in both of his heads.
Turel watches the proceeding with a look of interest. So both Sebti and Nakht Shepses will be involved in the Scorched Hand's sentencing. I wonder how lenient they will be, and whether they will accept any counsel here. At least the Scorched Hand will not be tortured...but it pleases me to see they will not be coddled here either...Idori's beliefs trouble me to a great extent. She needs a cause deeper than her coin pouch.
"I would also be willing to answer whatever questions you may have of me Master Shepses." Turel adds.
"I am glad that we were able to help the church in this way."
I will have to see if there is someway to find out what the Scorched Hand was after. It might be important to the exploration of the site. Now, however probably isn't the time to make such requests.
"I'd also be happy to answer any questions necessary to see justice done in this case.". Qari wasn't concerned about the possible treatment of the group by their captors. She was more interested in going to the party, then finishing up exploring their site, trying to find what the Hand was so fired up about.
Harmose turns to the temple priests. "Could one of you please remove this curse on me? I have a scroll, if that will help."
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Harmose talks with the priests for a few minutes and comes to an arrangement where they will cast a Remove Curse spell on him in return for the scroll. Harmose will have to remain at the temple for half an hour or so for the priests to get their stuff together for the ceremony, find someone who has the spell prepared, and whatever superfluous stuff they are doing. The other seven of you will have to decide whether you will wait in other chambers for Harmose and the priests to be done with their stuff, or whether you will go on ahead somewhere and ask for Harmose to rejoin you when he's done.
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Once Harmose has made his arragements to have the curse lifted from him Turel asks one of the lay priests, "May I ask if Bal Themm is available? I wish to speak with her."
Harmose kisses Aleris. "You don't have to wait for me. Tell me where I should meet up with you. The Tooth and Hookah?"
At the suggestion of meeting at the Tooth and Hookah, Kito nods and heads out.
She will return directly to her room at the Tooth and Hookah. She will then find her cleanest scribe's outfit for the event tonight, checking that it is not torn or stained.
Grinning at Ra and tapping him on the shoulder, "Nope. We are going to go get cleaned up and go this party Harmose invited us to."
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Turel nods to the others. "I shall join you back at the Tooth and Hookah shortly." He then heads up to the library...
After a few moments he softly says, "I...I feel the need to confess here. During our confrontation with the Scorched Hand, I nearly forgot my vows of self-control here. Seeing Harmose dying...was harder than I had expected. I just need to know here, why were we sent to the Sanctum? Why does Pharasma wish us to be the ones and not the Scorched Hand?"
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Sexy undergarments? Harmose's brain immediately flashes to a picture of Aleris in something see-through and filmy.
Down, boy. NOT NOW. Besides, you'll see her in that lovely dress to the party.
"Maybe we can share one of those fruit ices that Hakan makes before we set out tonight? Oh, and something vegetarian in case everything is dripping in meat tonight. Maybe that lemony hummus and some bread? What do you think?" He holds her hand and kisses it. It's light as air, while still having a pleasant solidity in his hand. "I really love you. Today's events really brought that home to me. Thank you for making my life a bright and beautiful place."
Qari headed back to the inn with the others. She didn't feel like going back to explore anything tonight other than the bottom of a cup. Just one cup tonight, though. No crying like last time or they will ban me from parties!
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"I have been informed that an evil aghash has cursed you with a lessening of your ba. I see it now, I sense it. There is an injury." Sebti's forehead furrows as her eyes bore into you, seeming like they almost turn milky a little bit, as if seeing through your skin and flesh. "It's more than just your ba. The corruption is like an infection, a cancer. It may or may not have begun at your ba, but it has spread to your ka, your ib, even your ren. The aghash are driven by hate, hate for everything they see as beautiful. It wanted to rend you asunder, I can tell. There is so much lingering hate, it's like walking through a charnel house." She motions toward a pedestal, the size of a prone human, indicating for you to lie down on it like on an examination table. It is stone and hard. "I will reconsecrate your soul and drive away the aghash's curse. Do not let your heart be troubled." This is the first time that she gives a faint smile, and the priests run loops of leather through the holes in the pedestal, strapping your wrists and ankles in place. "It's for your own safety", Sebti explains. "The experience can be...powerful."
Once you're securely strapped to the pedestal, Sebti continues. "I've heard word from Ipeq of the little boy who some say defied fate and came back from death." She lets that hang in the air for a little bit. "Personally, I think it's a bit audacious to decree with surety what fate and Pharasma's will are. Some people just use it as an empty excuse for what they personally want. Hm?" She tilts her head, another pause, and then she touches a medallion around her neck. "I'm going to start. Don't be alarmed. You are in safe hands."
Sebti begins chanting, low at first, words in a tongue you don't understand. It might be Celestial but you're not sure. The priests take up a circle around you and join into the chant. Sebti puts a hand to your forehead, and her eyes begin to glow. She's a sharp jerk that you feel not in your physical body but in your soul, and a whipcrack like thunder in your ears, and suddenly you find yourself floating over your body, looking down on it. It's strapped onto the pedestal, struggling and screaming its lungs out -- and it looks like a younger version of you. In fact, it looks exactly like you at the age you died. Your young self, strapped to the pedestal, writhing and crying out in obvious pain. The next moment, before you've fully acclimatized, there's another sharp thunder-whipcrack, and you find yourself in that strapped-down body, looking up at the form that was floating above it. You see yourself as undead, the way you were until your family spent all their money to bring you back. That undead-self floats eerily above you, ghostly and translucent. Then, Sebti's hand leaves your strapped-down body's forehead and, leaving behind a trail of golden sparkles in the air as it travels, moves over to the forehead of the undead-you. The moment it makes contact, the translucent figure screams. Golden light suffuses its form, and it begins to fade away, little by little, still screaming. You're not sure if it was seconds or hours, but after a while, the undead-you is gone, faded into the ether, and you're left on the pedestal, possibly with a beating heart and cold-sweaty skin and a raw throat. "It's over", Sebti says.
The priests begin to unstrap your wrists and ankles. You're free to sit up once more, and your physical body is just as it was before the Sanctum.
"The curse should be gone. There should not be any after-effects. Leave word with me through your friend, Turel, if you feel anything is amiss." Sebti dusts her shoulders a little bit, and turns to leave.
As she reaches the door, Sebti stops, and looks over her shoulder. "One more thing, Harmose", she says. "Sethotep is both behind you and in front of you." With that, she has nothing further to say, and exits the room.
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When you go on to confess about your experiences at the Sanctum, Bal Themm listens attentively, eyes narrowed in thought as she takes it all in. After you're done, she holds a moment of silence to process it all, and motions for you to take a seat. She pushes a bowl of fruit on the table towards you. "Have a bite. Spiritual discussions should never be had on an empty stomach." She steeples her fingers together, leaning her elbows on the table edge and eyes you for long moments, then takes a deep breath.
"There are two separate issues here, are there not? First, your guilt over your actions. Second, your questioning of your justification to be at the Sanctum in the first place. The first one, I see as the easier one. Times of crisis are the moments where we get to show who we really are. At the sight of a friend almost dying, nearly anyone would be tempted to lose self-control. That is normal human nature, and it shows that you care. I would be concerned if someone didn't have that sort of response. But from what it sounds like to me, ultimately you chose to act with mercy, did you not? That is the choice that you made, and the man that you chose to be in that moment. Is that action in harmony with what you wish to be? If it is, then I believe your ib will rapidly heal from the strain put upon it. It is only when there is a break between the two -- what you did, and who you wish to be -- that a serious storm of the soul is to be expected. If that is not true, then I would not be concerned over your actions. Any residual guilt will fade over time. If you like, I can prescribe you to do fifty prayer sequences, but honestly? I'm not so much for empty ritual. You just need to recognize that your ultimate action was in harmony with who you want to be. At least I assume that is the case. You need to know that. As long as you know that, I believe that everything will fall in place."
"As for the second of your concerns. The easy answer is that Pharasma's ways are unknown to us, the gods are too far removed for any of us to truly understand what they want, and so on, blah blah, yes? That's the easy way out, and I personally find that a little offensive. In my opinion, the purpose of faith is to allow us to examine our own souls. Faith is a mirror. It gives us a view of ourselves. Some faiths are one of those mirrors that make you look fat. Other faiths are a mirror that makes you look thin. Or things like that. Looking at things through the lens of a given faith shows your self in a different way. Through Pharasma's lens, I see this tribulation as a crisis of neutrality. As you should know, a key tenet of Pharasma's is to remain as unbiased as possible. Who do you think would treat the Sanctum of the Erudite Eye in a more unbiased manner? The Scorched Hand? Or your group? Perhaps that is one thing that Pharasma wanted. That the evaluation of the Sanctum be made by someone with no knife in the steak, as they say."
"Another possibility is that Pharasma wanted to show the fickleness of fate. Riches do not, and should not, always go to the rich. Poverty does not, and should not, always go to the poor. The church of Nethys does not, and should not, always go to the worshippers of Nethys. Fate does not always give people the most obvious answer, and people need to understand that, and accept that. In the Scorched Hand's case, they were unable to accept that fate simply did not give them what they wanted, and they wanted to challenge fate. They believed that they deserved something, and no matter what, they were going to take it. They were fated to fail. And they always will be fated to fail, as long as they keep challenging Pharasma."
"Of course, a third possibility is just that their arrogant behavior angered the temple priests, and they wanted revenge and made sure you would stop the Scorched Hand from getting what they wanted. Sometimes, the answer can be as secular as all that. It's not an aspect to blindly ignore, either. But at the end of the day, Turel -- you choose which explanation you find the most meaningful. Or even make up your own. Faith is just a mirror, and you choose which angle you look at it from."
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The rest of you make your way back to the Tooth and Hookah, where Sigrun Firehair is currently singing and playing a harplike instrument, conveying a tale of two brave dogs dying taking down a gelatinous cube. Two halflings belonging to the Dog Soldiers group are sitting at a nearby table, nursing large drinks. One member of the Four Lanterns is also present, cheering loudly at the tale, swinging a frothing mug in his hand. Farhaan is behind the bar. The remaining dozen or so patrons are ones you don't know.
As he turns to leave he pauses and adds, "And in answer to your first question I sincerely hope NOT!"
After some time Turel returns to the others carrying his tight leather outfit. "When exactly am I supposed to don this?" He asks the others.
Kito looks at the people in the Tooth and Hookah, then turns to go up to her room. Right now I'm in no mood to talk of what happened with the Scorched Hand and doubt I could help cheer up Diago and his friend. Besides, I should probably get cleaned up after everything that happened in the Necropolis this morning.
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Heading up to her room to get ready with far less enthusiasm than she felt this morning. Taking a few moments to rinse off the dust from the Necroplise laying the dress out that Harmose designed for her on the bed. It really is pretty and I am not even sure I want to go anymore. Glancing mournfully at her bed before steeling herself Not for me Harmose wanted everyone to go and it is bad form to tell someone who almost died no. Besides Ra should be every entertaining this evening. Right?
Once she feels ready Deseri wonders out to where the other are. Feeling a little more human after cleaning up. Glancing down at leather bundle with a raised eyebrow, "I was actually coming out to ask that? I do not remember when the party is? More than once while she is talking Desire glances down at the bundle in Turel's arms.
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About half an hour after the preparations have begun, Sebti the Crocodile, the head of the local church of Pharasma, walks in, and gives you a nod of greeting.
They're having Sebti do this? Why?
The priestess must have volunteered for this. She's too high of rank to do the normal tasks of the temple. Harmose is uncertain whether to be flattered, or worried.
Her facial expression is proper and neutral. "Kareem. Or do you prefer Harmose now?"
Harmose, naked under the purple cassock, feels the coolness of the marble floor underneath his bare feet. He breathes deeply, trying to ignore the rapid thudding of his heart.
She knows. She knows what you are, deep inside.
She cannot see into my heart.
Harmose meets her gaze, eqully coolly. "Harmose, please. 'Kareem' may be on my birth certificate, but 'Harmose' is the name etched upon my soul."
This is the first time that she gives a faint smile, and the priests run loops of leather through the holes in the pedestal, strapping your wrists and ankles in place. "It's for your own safety", Sebti explains. "The experience can be...powerful."
Harmose raises an eyebrow. If Camus were here, I'd never hear the end of this.
"Ordinarily, a woman would have to buy me drinks and dinner before I let her strap me down like this. I didn't realize our relationship has reached this level of trust." His quips belie his fear, even when she mentions the little boy from Ipeq. His bravado is the only armor he has. He's not letting it go.
Still, he allows himself to be strapped down. And then he's screaming, over and over. He feels the revulsion of that other self, alive in him, and then watches as the filthy undead fades away. When she releases him, he's still sobbing, and as he sits up, he feel the warm weight of a rabbit land in his arms.
"Thank you," he says. "Thank you for doing what was needed, and for taking me where I am." He meets her cool gaze with his own, thinking for a moment that there is a moment of understanding between them.
As she reaches the door, Sebti stops, and looks over her shoulder. "One more thing, Harmose", she says. "Sethotep is both behind you and in front of you." With that, she has nothing further to say, and exits the room.
Then she drops her bombshell, naming Sethotep, the architect who built a young scared child into a thing of horror. The bottom drops out of his stomach, and he stares at her in shock. As she turns to leave, he points a finger for message spell. How fortunate that magic comes so easily that he can ignore the material components a wizard might have required. There is no coil of wire here, just him. His words follow her as she leaves him. "No. Not even you gets to do this, Sebti. You don't get to bring up the biggest NIGHTMARE of my existence, the monster who destroyed my very soul, tell me that he's ahead of me, and just WALK AWAY!"
When she doesn't answer, he breaks down in tears again, clutching Wenet's warm furry body, feeling her rapid heartbeat. He rocks back and forth. "We're going to be okay, Wenet."
Even he does not believe this lie.
Remembering that Aleris is waiting for him, he asks for his clothes and returns home, still shaking.
Having cleaned herself up and groomed Thera, Kito decides to take some time reviewing her notes on the group's findings so far and her efforts at translation. She still wasn't sure what to expect at the party, but if someone asked her a scholarly question she wanted to be ready.
Taking one last look in the mirror to make sure she looks alright, she calls to Thera and makes her way down to the main room.
Seeing Turel and Deseri together, she moves over to them and asks "I'm not late, am I?"
Qari follows the others to clean up as well. She was glad to have a few moments where the only person wishing her dead in the room might be the member of the Four Lanterns. And that was probably overstating it.
After her bath, she sat and waited for several minutes, hoping the rest of the group would already be there so she could avoid that awkward time of being alone among revelers. She then put on her new dress, and descended the stairs, happy to find several of the group already there.
"Hey Turel, Deseri, Kito! It feels so great to be clean, doesn't it?"
Looking over the others who have attired themselves already, Turel bows his head partially in apology and partially to hide his darkening face on the sight of the beautifully attired ladies. "Forgive me for not being prepared. I...I have a lot on my mind and I am lacking focus to clear my mind. I should change now, even though it does not look like the party is started." It is clear on his face Turel does not share the enthusiasm the other have to be at the party now.
Offering a lackluster smile at Qari but sounding genuine, "That really does look lovely on you Qari."
Looking over at Kito, "Whenever Aleris or Harmose get back they had a dress made for you, I think."
Looking back at the stairs, "Turel I doubt anyone has a focused mind after today. So don't worry."
"I guess I should get dressed then." With that said she heads a back up the stairs. And I doubt anyone is up to going anymore but we will. Shaking her head Snap out of it sand brain.
Surprised, Kito says "A dress? I'm supposed to wear a dress?"
How will anyone take me seriously if I'm in a dress? I'll just be ignored if I am dressed like the other ladies.
"I think so Kito." Turel replies. "At least you do not have to wear THIS!" He holds out the black leather outfit provided to him.
"Yes I should change now...and get this over with..." He mutters to himself as he heads back to his room.
He is wearing that? Well, guess I better find out what has been planned for me before making any more comments...
She sits at a table, awaiting Harmose or Aleris. I should have brought some reading materials...
Sethotep is in my future.
No, a party is in your future. With Aleris and friends. That bastard can't hurt you anymore.
He feels ripped apart inside, but takes deep breaths, telling himself to hold it together. On the way home, Harmose picks up the elegant men's clothing he'd ordered only a few days before.
Paying a porter to carry the boxes back with him, he stops in the Tooth and Hookah and blinks when Turel comes down the stairs. "Turel, we had a discussion about that outfit! I have a much better selection for you in these boxes. And Kito, why aren't you wearing..." He pauses. "Oh, because I haven't given it to you yet! Wait a moment!" He runs up the stairs, two at a time, and comes back with a pale green silk sheath, cut simply, with lightly embroidered silk pants underneath and a white chiffon scarf to pull it together. "Why don't you try this, and see if it will work for you?"
Harmose's hands are still shaky, and he's very pale, like he's had a tremendous shock.
When he sees Aleris, he hugs her fiercely and kisses her forehead. "Did you have a good day?" Seeing her is like a balm on his heart, a promise that things will get better.
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Harmose gives his brother a blank look for w few seconds before recognition dawns upon his face. "Ahh, forgive me brother. I feel as if my mind is elsewhere."
He peers a bit closer at Harmose and notices the other man's shaken state. "It seems like you also had a rough time as well. Should you need me, I am here my brother." He then accepts the clothes and again returns to his room to change once again.
Shaking her head, Kito says "No, Aleris. Most of us are here." With a gesture towards another table, she says "Qari is over there. I believe that Deseri and Turel are getting dressed."
As Harmose runs up the stairs, she turns to Aleris and says "Should I fear what he is going to bring down?"
Kito gets up to take the dress. Looking it over, she smiles. "It is a lovely color." Running her hand over the material, she adds "Silk? Isn't that a bit much? Are you sure my scholar's robes wouldn't be more appropriate?" Or at least a bit less flashy? How can we afford these?
After some assurances, she takes the attire up to her room and changes into them. After checking everything in the mirror, she returns to the common room.
Blissful silence fills her room. Pealing off her clothing before carefully donning her fancy dress. Tugging at the top until it sits right over her chest before running her hands down her sides, "Oh I could get used to this!"
Hearing the noise outside Deseri wonders out of her room and spots Harmose hustling back down the stairs. Shifting nervously on her feet before walking towards the stairs. I hope I do not make a fool of myself.
Stopping a the top of the stairs and looking Turel up and down with wide eyes. "That is.. Wow!"
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Grinning at Ra and tapping him on the shoulder, "Nope. We are going to go get cleaned up and go this party Harmose invited us to."
Ra continues to try to persuade his companions to go back to the temple immediately, but seems to give up when the Tooth and Hookah hove into sight.
"Fine." He muttered almost to himself. "If we all get executed by her father it'll be your fault then."
After their run in with the Scorched Hand, Polux is in a dreadful, dreadful mood, which only gets worse when he realizes he will have nothing to show for it but scars.
Back at the Tooth and Hookah, as the others bathe, dress and get perfumed, he sits at the bar - "Please leave the bottle" - he informs as Farhann brings about a bottle of whiskey - "I think I will need it"
Sigrun's voice and attitude does bring a hint of a smile to his face - "Are you ALWAYS in a good mood?" - he nods at her when they have a chance to exchange a few words - "I think I have a story for you today" - the man adds, staring at his drink - "The Scorched Hand is out of commission, and will not be investigating any more sites"
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The day draws into afternoon, the afternoon into evening. Shadows grow longer in the streets of Wati, the Half-Dead City, until the sun begins to set below the buildings. You have all assembled at your chosen meeting point, in whatever guise you have decided for yourself. You march along the streets of the city, making your way westward, toward the setting sun. You can see the golden fire sink to the horizon amidst pink and red clouds as you travel uphill from the Midwife district to enter the Morning Sun district.
You stop at the gates to the palatial estate of the Okhenti family, one of the biggest in the city. Two guards stand outside the gates, as well as half a dozen what appear to be party guests. One by one the guards check the invitations the party guests show to make sure everything is in order, before letting the into the grounds through a smaller door beside the large main gate. Harmose has been given a physical invitation that covers your entire group. Showing it gets you past the guards with no incident, and you can enter the grounds of the Okhenti estate. The grounds are vast, larger than the Sunburst Market in the city center.
The estate looks something like this.
Some guards are hanging out on the grounds inside the walls. Rope barriers frame a walking path that leads to the main building, so it's more or less impossible to get lost if you follow the indicated path. You can also follow guests before you who seem to know where they are going, or you can ask any of the guards on the grounds, who will also be happy to show you toward the main building.
Once you enter the main building, you are in the middle of quite a lot of noise. There are several dozen people in the main hall and most of them are talking quite a lot, in a loud and animated manner. Of course, the louder everyone talks, the louder everyone else has to talk.
There appears to be no scheduled event going on at the time you arrive, just general socializing and partaking of food. There are waiters and waitresses walking around with trays of drinks, and a lavish spread of treats are arranged on tables in a U shape on three sides of the main hall, with salty food on the west side, sweet food on the east side, and on the north side bridging the two are temperature-controlled foods such as ice cream (kept cool through mundane means, with large ice blocks under the containers), a chocolate fountain (kept molten by a small fire, and a servant operating a pump system that keeps it flowing), and a fondue pot (similarly warmed by a small fire).
Each of you, please indicate where in the main hall you go:
1. Sweets table
2. Salties table
3. Hot and colds table
4. Don't go for any of the tables