Finneas spends the time before the wrestling competition in exercises, taking breaks only to participate in the drinking contest.
"Here's my fee, I'm ready for the brew!"
The Doctor drops by the Monster Hunt after reviewing his new alchemical booklet, On the Uses of Fish Liver Oil and Sauhaugin Roe. "One—no, make it five entries. Name? Dr. Toffitt. No, you can leave out my given name. Just Doctor. Toffitt. Not Toffee, you imbecile. Toffitt. TOE fit."
He then makes a note to invite Carts to the third day's events, but cannot seem to find the lad. No doubt busy with clients... Sigh. I wish he could cook. Perhaps I can convince my colleagues to put some faith in him...
"Ah, Meribel. You've been busy again I see. You're certainly looking rosy cheeked. Are you aware that you're two weeks pregnant? I don't suppose you know who the father is. No, I didn't think so."
Finneas spends the time before the wrestling competition in exercises, taking breaks only to participate in the drinking contest.
"Here's my fee, I'm ready for the brew!"
Finneas begins his first day of drinking at an outdoor beer garden by the lakeside. His competition is an older human woman with more warts than teeth. She looks at Finneas across the table and spits on the ground. A small group of children cheer her on. "Go grandma! Go nana!"
- DC 5
- DC 6
- DC 7
The gnome paladin immediately begins spending his hard fought silvers on roasted corn, baked apples, or anything else that's remotely sweet.
Glimmil finds many sweets to sate his sweet tooth including a chocolate lake monsters. These eel shaped chocolates are filled with a red berry liquid that bursts forth when chocolate is bitten into.
Dyrant rouses from bed still hoarse and sore from his sermoning the night before.
Atol. You failed me... Dyrant considers more. ...No. You failed St. Cuthbert. It is on you to make it right.
Dyrant sighs, trying to put yesterday behind him.
Today is a new day in the eyes of St. Cuthbert...today I will prove worthy of him despite his Church denying me my rightful station.
Dyrant dresses and communes with his Angel, for therein is the glory of St. Cuthbert.
* * *
Dyrant, knowing little about the festival, will plan on entering the Monster Hunt tomorrow. Today he will just enjoy the crowds and festival for what they are, trying to learn as much as he can about it.
How hard could it be? Just a little swim, perhaps?
* * *
Dyrant will enjoin Finneas at the match, rooting for him against 'Nana'.
"Boo, Nana! BOOO!!!"
Glimmil rushes over to see what the cheering is about.
"Oh! A drinking contest! I can drink gallons of mom's lemonade!"
The gnome will unwittingly join the contest if there is still time, and will rush over to every possible contest, be it drinking, dancing, singing, cudgel-a-mole... until he gets sick from eating too much and passes out.
Glimmil presses a handful of chocolate eel-monsters into Dyrant's hand.
Biting off a head, he holds one up real close for the old priest to inspect. "Look! Red gooey goodness inside!" Glimmil then sucks out the contents. "Too bad dogs can't have chocolates, huh Cog?"
Glimmil is paired up with a thin young man. He stares at Glimmil. Stares at him some more. Stares at him some more. And then belches....for.....several.....seconds. He is obviously way ahead of Glimmil in the number of drinks. Unfortunately for him, only the drinks at the table matter and he only lasts through two of those.
- DC 5
- DC 6
Glimmil stares right back at the thin young man, then looks away for a dramatic second, then looks back at him.
He drinks any drink put in front of him.
"Hey, this stuff is kind of bitter... even more than mum's lemonade!"
He chews on a chocolate eel-monster in between drinks.
Glimmil makes the sourest expression as he continues to drink.
"Hey, anyone? Can I get a lemon slice with these?"
DC5:
DC6:
Dyrant thanks Glim for his candy as he cheers for Finneas.
"Why bless you, Glim. You're very kind!"
That was very thoughtful of him! I've been craving candy ever since I met that Doctor. He promised us confectionary indulgences but never delivered!
Dyrant chews on a chocolate eel-monster while wishing the best for Glim.
"Let's see what I've got!"
Finneas quickly drinks the first three drinks, slamming them back on the table as he finishes them. After the third he lets loose a hair curling belch then gets up to make sure the old woman is alright.
"You did fine Nana, but this time I did better. Take her home kids, let her sleep it off."
Female voice: What is the point of this?
To shut you up.
Male voice: Don't talk like that to your mother!
Looks like I'll need to drink twice as much.
Atol moves through the crowds with a huge grin on his face. He doesn't directly take part in anything per se, but he's involved in everything he gets near - cheering on his mates, cheering on their competition, cheering on the mice eating the scraps at everyones feet.
He's just happy.
Over lunch something someone said will nag at him.
Someone is concerned about something. What was it? WHO was it? I don't remember. Must be nothing.
In the afternoon he'll relax and watch folks ply the water in their boats occasionally dipping his toes in the water for the coolness of it all. He'll make a point of pressing a few coppers in the beggars hands today so that everyone can enjoy the party.
Later he'll spend a couple hours at the house 'working' in the garden. So much to do, what a mess! His grin will grow all the wider as he weeds and removes and prunes and takes stock of what's there - and plans for what to remove completely and what to add!
Day 14 - Watersday
The day passes without any unusual events. Hundreds of duplicate boats are floated on the lake as rain storms move through quickly, dumping several inches of water and raising the level of the lake a few inches.
Day 15 - Earthday
Finneas's first match is scheduled for 9am at the temple of Kord. He is to face a human town guardsman known simply at Thud. He is over 6 feet tall and looks like he could pound nails without a hammer. He also looks to be about as bright as a hammer as he gazes into the distance as the match starts.
The Crater Lake Monster Hunt begins at noon rain or shine.
Round 2 of the Drinking Contest for Finneas. This time he faces the busboy from Dyrant's favorite eating establishment. The teenager has no beard and barely any stubble to get in the way of slamming down his drinks. However, his inexperience gets the better of him and he's down by the 3rd drink.
- DC 6
- DC 7
- DC 8
Round 2 of the Drinking Contest for Glimmil. He sat down for only a moment to speak with Ellywinkle Nerfoodle about the grand opening of Jzadirune at dusk when suddenly drinks were set before him. "This is awesome! Go easy on me!" Ellywinkle slowly drinks here first beer as sparkles from her hair cover her cup. The second one goes down more quickly and the third follows with barely a breath. "This is good. I've never done this before. Is this how you prepare for your adventures?" She finishes a fourth and fifth beer as Glimmil...
- DC 6
- DC 7
- DC 8
- DC 9
- DC 10
- DC 11
The Haunted Jzardirune grand opening is at dusk and Glimmil is expected there.
"Elly-whatsthis?" Glimmils mouth drops agape as he realizes the gnome will be competing against him in the contest.
"Wh-ma. Goo. yes'hum." Glimmil babbles, attempting to answer her question but sitting hypnotized by the sparkles from her hair.
Reflexively, he begins drinking along with Miss Nerfoodle.
6:
7:
8:
9:
10:
11:
12:
Wiping off his mouth with the back of his sleeve, he smiles about at the crowd.
Bitter. I don't understand why the humans like drinking this stuff. Mum's lemonade is so much better.
Glimmil feels the slightest bit warm inside and looks at Ellywinkle and wonders why she's swooning.
I wonder if drinking these drinks is some sort of play? Am I supposed to pretend to be a zombie after I've had a couple of these?
Examining his cup briefly, Glimmil then smiles back at Ellywinkle and offers her a chocolate eel-monster.
**
After drinking, Glimmil works obsessively for over an hour polishing his shield and armor for Haunted Jzadirune's grand opening. In fact, Glimmil is so focused the upcoming grand opening he completely forgets that he wanted to do Monster Hunting in the afternoon.
After watching Finneas and Glim dispatch their foes in the drinking contest (and after getting yet more chocolate eel-monsters), Dyrant will make his way to the Crater Lake Monster Hunt.
Stripping nigh-naked (a mere undercloth...calm yourselves, ladies), Dyrant will participate.
This is all in fun and competition...St. Cuthbert aid me.
Swim, random roll, & perception check (maybe looking for boats that float either higher or lower on the water?):
Swim;
;
Perception
Swim;
;
Perception
Swim;
;
Perception
Swim;
;
Perception
Swim;
;
Perception
Heh. That was fun.
Coming out of the water, Dyrant will eat another eel-monster while getting dressed and drying off.
Dr. Toffitt has in the past disliked swimming immensely. With his newfound formula, though, he's feeling quite confident.
:
:
:
:
:
:
He celebrates by either buying a drink for the victor, or buying around for the runners up. He then goes to cheer on Finneas and Glimmil as they drown themselves in another fashion.
Finneas squares up against Thud, taking measure of his opponent. With a burst of energy he strikes!
Finneas gets his hands on his opponent but is unable to press the advantage.
Later that day, nursing his bruises from the wrestling match, Finneas once again finds himself facing an able opponent.
Luckily for Finneas he is able to stomach the fourth drink.
"Whew, a fifth one might have done me in."
Dr. Toffitt swims on, looking forward to sharing his prize money with Dyrant and his other fellows.
:
:
:
:
:
Finneas squares up against Thud, taking measure of his opponent. With a burst of energy he strikes! Finneas gets his hands on his opponent but is unable to press the advantage.
Thud shrugs off Finneas and tries to "wrestle" him. This consists of slapping his hands to each side of Finneas in an attempt to get him into a bear hug. Thud misjudges the distance though and can't close his hands around Finneas before he slips out leaving Thud with nothing but oily hands.
Hah, I knew that oil would come in handy!
Finneas attempts to grapple with Thud again.
So close, maintain hold.
Finneas slips around behind the human as he takes him down, attempting to slip the thinner part of his forearm into the crook of the guardsman's throat before choking off the air supply.
Dyrant wanders back to the wrestling competition to watch Finneas.
Boxing the air with his hands, Dyrant tries to help Finneas with thoughtful encouragement and air boxing.
"Cudgel him, Finn!"
Atol wakes refreshed to a new day with new wonders awaiting him!
Still, he pauses as he sits on the edge of the bed. I must be ready for whatever trouble lies ahead. I should spend some part of each day of the festival in preparation. Mornings are slow, I'll prepare in the mornings.
As such, this morning at least, Atol bears down and prepares two scrolls, Comprehend Languages and Obscuring Mist .
By lunch time his hand is cramping and his stomach rumbling. Rather than prepare something from the still mostly barren larder, Atol instead heads to the fair spending his hard coin on all manner of delicacies.
Frankly the evening is spent the same way - Atol eating his way through the fair. Stuffed and sated, Atol tumbles to his cell at St. Cuthberts late in the night. With the briefest flicker of doubt before passing blissfully to a deep sleep.
Perhaps my brother is right. I cannot continue this dual existence. Either I am with the Cauldron Five, or I am a priest in the service of the mother church. The two are not exclusive, but they are not, er, in.. in..something either. Tomorrow I shall see the High Priestess and give up my cell to a more worthy acolyte while I pursue my future.
Finneas slips around behind the human as he takes him down, attempting to slip the thinner part of his forearm into the crook of the guardsman's throat before choking off the air supply.
Thud leans forward quickly and flips Finneas over the top of him. Finneas hangs on and spins around Thud's neck as if it were a pole. They end up face to face and thud tries to squeeze the life from Finneas.
reverse grapple
pin fail
Finneas turns the tables again, pinning the smaller man.
Thud struggles hard against Finneas, but soon begins to flail madly when he can't get a grip on him. Soon thereafter he stops flapping and he flops down in Finnneas's arms. Finneas is advised that his next match is tomorrow at 5 pm.
- Enchanted boat
Other swimmers
Dyrant and Toffitt take to the water and begin to mark boats. Toffit swims as if he was born on the water and receives more than one angry "BOO!" from the crowd for his techincial compliance with the rules.
Dryant swims well himself, but that leaves him little time to appreciate his surroundings. Despite this, he gets the feeling he is close. As he places his marker on a boat, a half-elf woman wearing only a short white spring dress glides by and places her marker on the boat next to his. The boat instantly transforms into an enormous leviathan that turns to Dyrant and swallows him in a single gulp.
Dyrant easily swims through the illusion to find the elf covered in faerie fire and soaking in the cheers from the crowds on the shore.
Dusk of Earthday brings the opening of Haunted Jzadirune. Ellywinkle has decked out the entrance to Ghelve's with a long banner accented with red and blue ribbons. Bits and pieces of the constructs adorn the front of the house like a twisted metal sculpture garden. Ghelve is dressed in a fine suit and paces around nervously. There is a small crowd of mostly gnomes gathered and they cheer as Glimmil approaches.
Ellywinkle rushes forward to Glimmil. "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for coming." She bounces up and down, her blue hair flying free and her corsette barely holding in her bosom.
"You can lead the first tour!"
She pulls Glimmil close, pushing her bosom up against him and whispers in his ear, "Just take them to the playhouse and back. It's perfectly safe. We've blocked off the other passages." With that she pecks him on the cheek and turns to the crowd.
In the crowd, Glimmil can see Skie turn on her heels and walk quickly away.
Red and blue! My favorite colors!
Glimmil rubs Cog behind the ears, as excited about the opening as a gnomish hero of Cauldron at a flood season festival. Hey, wait a...
Glimmil smiles and nods, waving at the other gnomes as he stands in front of them. With Ellywinkle's peck he turns a bright red, matching the long banners above.
His heart pounds in his chest, then his stomach sinks as he watches Skie disappearing into the crowd.
He must think quick...
Quicker!
Glimmil's mind just dances with headless chocolate eels, swimming about boats, their red gooey centers oozing...
"Friends! Gnomes! Family!"
He swallows... why is it so hard to swallow?
Jzadirune is clear once again! We must brave it's deep corridors to the haunted stage beyond! As I, brave Glimmil Cobwaddle did, not so many days ago."
Skie! Glimmil - you dimwit, say something she can hear before she's gone!
"Armed and prepared thanks to Skie's Treasury! Yes, that's right, Skie's Treasury - my friends and I brought swords and lanterns and sunrods and we cleared the way for all!"
Glimmil stands on his toes, hoping to have stalled Skie long enough to pause.
He glances nervously at Ellywinkle, her sparkling blue hair and smile.
Why does my stomach hurt? Was it those lemon-beers?
Dr. Toffitt cheers loudly, if in a rather forced fashion, for the victor and offers to buy her. he tries to ignore the boos of the. crowd. He offers the victor a drink but does not linger.
Honestly. No word was mentioned of banning performance enhancers. Perhaps the judges should be more explicit when explaining the rules. She is an admirable swimmer, though.
He wanders through the throngs as though they were not there, feeling at once bemused by the celebration and an outsider. His golden eye itches with an impulse towards flight. I mean these people only good things, yet how many of them would kill me if they truly new me? Aw, well. Oo look, chocolate worms. Yum.
At Glimmil: Skie continues to walk off.
At Toffitt: The elf regards Toffitt with either curiosity or disgust. "A drink?" The fairie fire continues to glow around her--evidently cast by a very high level caster or using extensive metamagic. In the background the illusionary leviathan continues to eat people in the water. Kids have run out into the shallows hoping for a chance to be a victim.
"Well, it is an occasion for a drink." She rinses off the lake water, but otherwise lets the dress cling to her body. "It'll rain again soon. No point in changing clothes today. What are you buying me?"
Glimmil frowns in disappointment at Skie's departure.
Faced with a decision between chasing after her and leading the waiting gnomes into Jzadirune, Glimmil does what he presumes Garl Glittergold would do.
Kneeling down to whisper in Cog's perked ear, Glimmil whispers, /"Go after her, so she knows Elly's peck was no more intimate than your licks!"/
Glimmil considers this for a moment, and that Elly's peck was actually perhaps much more pleasant than Cog's breath, but he doesn't bring this up.
Trusting Cog to do the right thing, with his recently developed greater understanding of spoken word, Glimmil waves at him, "Go, don't delay!" before turning to the rest of the gnomes.
"Jzadirune awaits! Bring out your sunrods if you have them, folks, we don't want to take a wrong turn!"
Glimmil tries to paint on a cheerful smile to hide his worries. When he sees Elly nearby, the butterflies continue their awkward dance.
Dyrant walks the festival, waiting for the next rounds of Glim and Finn's drinking contest (which Dyrant thinks will have the greatest potential for great mirth and merriment).
Other than that, Dyrant will try to pick up on local customs and people of Cauldron.
Dr. Toffitt bows politely, with nary a whiff of flirtation. He wonders in passing whether she would like him to care about her drenched, revealing clothing. I'm sure she'll have no shortage of suitors before the night's over.
In Elvish, he says, "Please let me introduce myself. Doctor Abner Svengalu Toffitt. My mother's name for me. May I ask your name, milady? You favor my aunt, though she had no such aptitude in the water. My father's family left the sea behind eons ago."
"I am rather knew to Cauldron, but have greatly enjoyed the 15 year rum at the Drunken Morkoth. However, I welcome your suggestions. You deserve the finest for your skillful win."
"I am rather knew to Cauldron, but have greatly enjoyed the 15 year rum at the Drunken Morkoth. However, I welcome your suggestions. You deserve the finest for your skillful win."
The woman responds in elvish. "I'm Geleth and rum would be fine as long as we enjoy it on their patio. There is too much life in the town right now to miss out on. And the win was lucky, but I did enjoy the swim."
Trusting Cog to do the right thing, with his recently developed greater understanding of spoken word, Glimmil waves at him, "Go, don't delay!" before turning to the rest of the gnomes.
Cog rushes off to meet Skie and disappears around a corner.
Glimmil leads the group down to the playhouse. There are many "ooh's" and "ah's" as the group wanders the halls. When the play begins, the place erupts with joy. As the play ends, Glimmil sees Ellywinkle out of the corner of his eye looking quite suspicious in the adjoining room.
Then there is the familiar pounding of metal on stone. Baboom. Baboom. A construct walks into the room from where Ellywinkle was at and moves toward the crowd. The audience begins to fall silent as they realize this is not an illusion.
The woman responds in elvish. "I'm Geleth and rum would be fine as long as we enjoy it on their patio. There is too much life in the town right now to miss out on. And the win was lucky, but I did enjoy the swim."
"Well met, Geleth. Perhaps we could fetch a bottle and some mugs and drink as we walk. I agree—it would be a shame to miss the festivities." Or rather, to sulk alone, obsessing over some boy.
"Have you lived in Cauldron a very long time, Geleth? What vocation do you take here? I confess, my impression of the city has been most out of the ordinary. Although I am a modest chirurgeon by profession, my time here has been spent hunting down trouble in the darkness." He pauses, gauging whether his words fall on friendly ears. While desiring a friendly ear, the Doctor shares his feelings with some care.
Toffitt continues without bravado. Whether or not she welcomes it, Toffitt speaks to her as a confidente. "My fellows and I—please don't think that I am boasting when I say this, for I have no cause to impress you—recently purged the lost gnome city of Jazidrune of an ancient curse. Just a few days ago, we... No, you wouldn't believe me if I said it... Ah here we are. Amaku, a bottle of your finest, and two goblets you can spare for a day or two! My thanks."
Filling both goblets, he opens awkwardly the door back onto the street. "If you are curious, I believe my friend Glimmil is at the opening of Haunted Jazidrune now."
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Geleth sips her rum and talks with the doctor as they wander about the festival."I work for Maavu Arlintal. He runs an import and export business here in Cauldron. Mostly food stuffs, but other things as well as needed. I'm his assistant," she says in a manner that does not welcome further inquiries as to what she assists him with.
"Sounds like you've been quite busy since your arrival. The city appreaciates your efforts. If the need arises, I will keep you and your friends in mind."
"Haunted Jzadirune? It sounds interesting. I'd be happy to join you."
"Ah. Well I thank you for helping keep me fed!"
The Doctor tries to remember that name. Maavu Arlintal. Ever suspicious, he wonders if those 'other things' might be of the sort one smuggles in through secret tunnels. "Our recent efforts have set us against some of your employer's less above-board competition. It pains me that honest business people like Master Arlintal should have to compete with such wretched gob-folk."
:
:
Once they reach Ghelve's, Toffitt quietly announces himself as a colleague of Glimmil's. "And this is the lady Geleth. Have the tours begun? What is the admission?" He insists on paying (assuming that non-gnomes are welcome).
Toffitt and Geleth arrive after the tour has left. Ghelve is at the door welcoming the next group of people that are trickling in. The lev advises the next tour will leave soon. Sitting by the front door is Cog.
Dyrant continues to wander the festival, happily drinking in the celebration and night free of sermonizing.
This is what a free city does under the protection of St. Cuthbert. With the cudgel comes prosperity.
Toffitt tries to give Cog a friendly pat. "Where's Glimmil, boy? Let's go find him. Geleth, this is my comrade Glimmil's war dog."
He starts as Cog gives him a little growl. "Dogs don't necessarily take to me, I'm afraid," he says sheepishly. Perhaps he smells the beast within me. Maybe he always has, but Glimmil's good nature keeps him in check.
... the audience begins to fall silent as they realize this is not an illusion.
Uncertain if the advancing construct is part of the "show", Glimmil steps forward and gives a show of his own.
"Have no fear friends!"
Jumping ahead, he puts himself between the construct and the crowd as well as Ellywinkle.
Gnomish/"Stand down, machine!"/Gnomish
"Dyrant! Did you see my matchs?"
Finneas belches with a mighty release, doing his best not to spray the crowd with sweat and beer.
"This is a fine day, truly nothing could ruin this festival for me."
"This is a fine day, truly nothing could ruin this festival for me."
"Dyrant! Did you see my matchs?"
Kyson waves away the air released from Finn's blech.
"I've caught every one...and I'll try to watch all the rest. I'm rooting for you. This town needs the Cauldron Si..ehr, Five, to be heroes for them." Dyrant smiles and looks around, his eyes laying upon the Jzadirune merriment.
"See there? You think that would be happening without us and the blessings of St. Cuthbert?"
Dyrant points to an orphan.
"See that orphan there? He may not realize it, but he sleeps safely for our efforts and for this I am thankful."
Dyrant looks around again...his smile fading a bit.
"Soon enough this festival will be over and we will be back to our old lives, ministering and sermonizing and trying to bring the Cudgel into the lives of people here. We've saved them and now nothing else can go wrong. We should enjoy the festival while it lasts."
Dyrant claps Finn on the back and leads him to the nearest beerery.
"I haven't had much to drink over the last two weeks...since, the day we met. Maybe I should drink a few to celebrate. Come, join me, I'll buy."
Gnomish/"Stand down, machine!"/Gnomish
The crowd sits on the edge of their seats ready to flee as the automaton stops at Glimmil's command. Ellywinkle comes out from the other room. "You see my fellow gnomes, this place was reclaimed with both bravery and ingenuity! This is our heritage. It was built by us and for us and we shall one day live here again."
Ellywinkle's proclamation results in a few cheers, but also a lot of silent members of the audience. People are obviously still hesitant to do more than visit Jzadirune.
Day 14 - Watersday (Festival Day 1)
- Round 1 of Drinking
Day 15 - Earthday (Festival Day 2)
- Crater Lake Monster Hunt
- Haunted Jzardirune
- Round 2 of Drinking
- Round 1 of wrestling
Day 16 - Freeday (Festival Day 3)
- 5pm Round 2 of wrestling
- Round 3 of drinking - anytime
Finneas's wrestling opponent on Freeday is a wiry human male. He has a shaved head and several tattoos covering his bare chest, back and arms. The swirling lines would be good camoflage for some in the jungle.
- Finneas Init 1
- Finneas Init 2
- Silent man
The silent tattoed man moves with surprising speed and gets the jump on Finneas. Before he knows it, the man has grabbed Finneas's arm. However, Finneas shakes his arm once and pulls it away.
- Hit
- No grapple
DC 7
DC 8
DC 9
DC 10
DC 11
DC 7
DC 8
DC 9
DC 10