It is a brisk autumn day; tomorrow is the High Harvest Festival, one of the five major holidays celebrated in the region. The local silos are brimming with harvested grain and bushels of apples are stacked high in barns. Everywhere in the village there are people making preparations for tomorrow's celebration.
The village square is being prepared for the Harvest Dance. Villagers are decorating the three great oaks with lanterns and garlands of holly. Nearby, long trestle tables are being set up outside the Huntsman's Rest with barrels of cider and ale. The smells of baked goods drifts on the breeze; various folk are preparing food for the feast, as well as for various contests that will be judged by the town elders. Children in masks run giggling through the lanes.
In the nearby field where the militia drill, the festival games are being prepared. There will be an archery contest, a foot race, as well as several games of chance and contests of strength and skill.
During the festival, it is tradition to wear a mask. These are crafted of various materials and range from simple to highly artistic. The masks depict animals, humanoids, or monsters. According to tradition, these masks provide protection from the evils of the world (in the case of scary masks), or infuse the wearer with a quality of the creature the mask depicts. At the end of the evening's festivities on High Harvest, the masks are taken to the bonfire at the center of the green and burned: a sacrifice to Baal, giving up ones fears and hopes to the Forge-father so that one may receive his blessings.
Also, each of you has been given a small gourd. The gourd is hollow and carved with an impish or ghoulish face that smirks, grins, or snarls. Inside each gourd is a small burnpot, which will cause the carved face to glow from the light inside. These are gifts from Old Tom, the village Warder. These tokens, when lit, are said to provide protection from the evil spirits that are abroad now that the season of life is over. They are everywhere, most sitting on doorsteps, in window sills, or hanging from the eaves above the doors of homes.
Your spirit lanterns are a bit different, however. In them, each of you finds a small note and a tindertwig. The note reads:
Your assistance is needed. Come to the house of the pearl after dusk, the day after the festival. Seek the red rooster to guide you.
The note is unsigned, but bears the symbol of a hand stamped in its bottom corner. This is obviously a missive from the Hand of Jorin. You know that the "house of the pearl" is code for the shrine to Daena hidden in the woods west of town. However, you do not know how to get there.
As for your journey, you're sure you'll be guiding others there as well. Your mask for the festival is a wood and leather fabrication in the shape of a rooster's head, complete with a great red comb and wattle. You've also received a second spirit lantern (without a note,) presumably for your visitor.
Surprisingly, after you were orphaned, you were taken in by your master: a local dwarven smith, Azryn Grymlorn. Unlike other dwarves, he lives in Three Oaks with the human community. He is gruff and demanding of you, but never unkind. As to your covert activities, he seems entirely oblivious. When he does note you doing work that he did not assign, he simply assumes you are practicing to improve your skill. Also apprenticing to Azryn is Gildin, another dwarven outcast. He seems to have a growing skill in alchemy, and has been crafting components and items that are sent out with your clandestine shipments of weapons.
Azryn is bald and the left side of his head and face bear runic tattoos. You know he is an outcast of the steading, and believe that the tattoos are a mark of his disgrace. You've never directly asked him about it though. The last person that did took a hammer between the eyes. Azryn is obviously rather sensitive about the subject.
Andras had a young son, Kellen, who was born two years before he adopted you. His mother died during childbirth. The two of you grew up as brothers. Five years ago, while on assignment, he was murdered. You've never managed to discover who killed him or why. All you know is that he was doing reconnaissance of some strangers in town. The body was found in one of the rooms at the Huntsman's Rest, under the bed. He had been stabbed in the back. Given the lack of blood, he may have been killed elsewhere and moved there, or the scene had been cleaned, possibly with magic. Ouryn Dunmont, the innkeeper, was never much help, as he is rather scatterbrained. He remembers a group of folks that came in that year, but little about them, save that one was a striking young beauty with red hair, and there was a gnome bard with them...name of Gimble, if he recalls correctly. The room where your stepbrother's body was found was registered to a "Jack Duskman." This is all you’ve been able to discover. You know that the struggle must go on, but you hope that somewhere along the way you’ll be able to discover Kellen’s killer and return peace of mind to your stepfather.
Azryn’s tattoos tell you that he was exiled for an illicit affair with a woman of noble blood. You’re fairly certain he knows your crimes as well. However, he never speaks of this. In fact, other than firmly stating he doesn’t want you “fiddling with the ore, you know what I mean,” he has never seen fit to discuss the matter with you. You’ve also never spoken of his crime. Once, he cracked a man in the skull with his hammer for daring to ask about the tattoos. You figure it’s best to just avoid the subject.
Best of all, here in Three Oaks you’re far from the Jarl’s fortress, where your accident took place. One of the guards, a fighter by the name of Morgrim Thrallhammer, was badly burned in the resulting explosion. He was very outspoken in saying that exile was too good for you and that you should pay with your life for your crime. He’s a frightening fellow, the embodiment of everything humans hate and fear about the dwarves, and you’re glad to be here with Azryn, far away from the hateful warrior.
Two days ago, you made a marvelous discovery: a new star! A bright, white point of light that you’ve never seen before, too bright to be overlooked. Fascinated, you have begun travelling in that direction, compelled to get as close to it as you can. Your travels have brought you into the village of Three Oaks, preparing for the High Harvest festival. You’ve decided to rest here briefly, taking in the delights of the holiday, before resuming your pilgrimage, ever northeast, toward the mysteries this heavenly body has yet to reveal to you.
Note: You, unlike other PCs, did not receive a spirit lantern containing the message, as you are not currently affiliated with the Hand of Jorin.
Among these duties has been the guardianship of several relics, things from ages past. Some of these are held in anticipation of the time when the people of the Iron Marches have the wisdom to know of their existence once more. Others are things of vile nature that are kept here against rediscovery. In the hands of the corruptible, they could pose even greater threat to the land and its inhabitants.
Unfortunately, one of these has been stolen. A great tome, bound in humanoid flesh and bone, was taken recently. While you and many of the younger acolytes were off acquiring supplies from a nearby gnomish settlement, the Hill was attacked by undead. In the aftermath, several of your brothers and sisters were injured; your master, Abbot Heywood, is missing. Sister Liandra, the ranking member of the order, is attempting to make things right. Upon your group's return the following day, search parties were sent to find some sign of the invaders or their prisoner, but without results.
You have been given the assignment to travel to the House of the Pearl, a secret shrine to Daena, the moon goddess. It is hoped they can divine what has become of the Abbot and the tome. Whoever perpetrated this crime knew what they were after; it is certain that they are intent on some foul purpose and need the book to fulfill it. Liandra has contacted members of the Hand of Jorin to assist. You have traveled south to the village of Three Oaks to meet a contact, who will escort you to the shrine two days hence. You were told to seek out a sign. On the door of a cottage you will find a wreath made of grain, decorated with blue and white flowers. You are to knock on the door and tell the occupant: “I’ve come to speak with you about the water. The well has gone dry.” This will identify you as the person they are to assist. You wish things could move more swiftly; you’re worried about Master Heywood. However, all you can do at the moment is follow the commands you were given.
Note: Unlike the other PCs, you did not receive a spirit lantern and note as indicated in the introduction. Since you are not affiliated with the Hand of Jorin at the present time, your introduction has been modified.
Auric burns his note in the fire after committing it to memory, pulling on his leather apron and heading into the smithy for the day's work.
"Good mornin', Azryn, Gildin. Got your masks picked out for tomorrow?"
William quickly burns the note before setting out into the forest to hunt in for tomorrow's feast. He returns to Three Oaks in the mid-afternoon, from a reasonably successful trip with a pheasant and a pair of hares slung over his shoulder.
After delivering his bounty to the local butcher, he sets out in search of a mask for the festival. He looks over a few before settling on a well made but rather simple one depicting a fox's face. He feels it's rather fitting as he will be spending the next day on the hunt for a red rooster.
From there he offers his assistance around town helping set up for tomorrow's festival.
The youthful dwarf had read his note and tossed it into a sack on the cart he regularly used, buried beneath cured meat wrapped appropriately to ensure safety. He was always one to carry a bit of extra food as a grace to those whom he delivered their goods to, and those who accompanied him.
He had set the donkey, Brutus, to relax with what little grass they had near the smithy, and was busy pounding away on a metallic mask with the smith's hammer when Auric walked in. The mask itself looked like it was to represent some creature made of fire.
"Aye, lad - it's right 'ere where I can see it. It'll be done by this afternoon, gods praise - and then I can get back to real work, since I took th' day off to prepare."
He looked over at Azryn, and gave him a grin. "How about you, Azryn? Got anythin' cooked up?"
"I'll give you a hand if'n you need one made, Auric - jus' ask, and I'll set right to it."
"Ah, I'm sure I'll be fine, thanks. I've got a falcon in the making, maybe I'll chase down a few hares tomorrow!"
Azryn grunts. "Silly tradition, that. Ouryn always has extras down at the inn. I'll take whatever he has that doesn't cover my mouth so I can still get my food and ale down. The feasting and drinking is what counts. Besides, no point in crafting something that'll just be burned at the end of the night anyway."
"Not much work to do today, boys, so we'll be quitting early. I'm heading over to the inn to help set up for the festivities when we're done here. You lads can do as you like."
Gendo: You make good time, reaching Three Oaks by late afternoon the day before the festival. The village is rather gaily decorated with late season flowers. The village green has been set up for a variety of games and contests. The Huntsman's Rest, the local inn, is bustling. Guests are being given masks if they do not have one of their own. You are handed a raven mask, crafted of reeds covered with a thick layer of black feathers, probably chicken, and a curved beak of black laquered wood. You wander the village for quite a while before finding a modest cottage whose door sports a wreath woven of sheaves of grain, interspersed with blue flowers and wound with a green vine blooming with small, white flowers that smell faintly of vanilla.
A small grin coes to my face, my eyes enjoying the simple beauty of Three Oaks in "bloom".
Thank you kindly. I respond when given the raven mask, before placing it carefully in his satchel before moving on to continue his search for the grain wreath cottage door.
Upon seeing the cottage, I tighten lips for a moment, nodding to myself. Taking a moment that to insure that the wreathe fits the decription I was given before going to knock on the door.
I'll knock two or three times, wait for a few minutes, then knock and wait again. If no one answers after the second knock, I'll go back to the Inn and secure a spot in the common room.
IF someone should answer the door, I give them a quick once over, basically taking their measure. I nod my head in greeting and say, My apologies for disturbing your festival preparations, but I've come to speak with you about the water. The well has gone dry. Then wait patiently for the response or reaction.
IF someone should answer the door, I give them a quick once over, basically taking their measure. I nod my head in greeting and say, My apologies for disturbing your festival preparations, but I've come to speak with you about the water. The well has gone dry. Then wait patiently for the response or reaction.[/i]
The man that answers is a tall and thin human with thinning brown hair and a wild beard, wearing homespun clothes and smelling of earth and herb and looking a bit touched in the head, though that look fades when he hears the password. He gives you a nod. "Dry wells are a problem in the drought months. Come in, I might know of a better place to dig." He ushers you in, then gives a quick glance around to see who might have noticed the man entering...
Perception:
"Name's Jon. I'm the local herbsman here. I understand you've come for the festival? I have a lantern for you." He pulls a small carved gourd lantern from under a table where a great mass of greenery had obscured it. "I'm guessing we have some friends in common. Hand in hand, as it were. What shall I call you, then?"
Azryn grunts. "Silly tradition, that. Ouryn always has extras down at the inn. I'll take whatever he has that doesn't cover my mouth so I can still get my food and ale down. The feasting and drinking is what counts. Besides, no point in crafting something that'll just be burned at the end of the night anyway."
"Not much work to do today, boys, so we'll be quitting early. I'm heading over to the inn to help set up for the festivities when we're done here. You lads can do as you like."
"True enough, but I always like seeing those elaborate masks and the Festival only comes once a year. Remember Old Tom's last year? Really outdid himself."
Auric busies himself at the forge, attending to his duties and sweeping up when it's time to close. He'll find cause to delay until after Azryn leaves and then take a quick look through the hay in the stable for anything that might have been "misplaced" last night. If he doesn't turn anything up, he'll head out into town to help out.
IF someone should answer the door, I give them a quick once over, basically taking their measure. I nod my head in greeting and say, My apologies for disturbing your festival preparations, but I've come to speak with you about the water. The well has gone dry. Then wait patiently for the response or reaction.[/i]The man that answers is a tall and thin human with thinning brown hair and a wild beard, wearing homespun clothes and smelling of earth and herb and looking a bit touched in the head, though that look fades when he hears the password. He gives you a nod. "Dry wells are a problem in the drought months. Come in, I might know of a better place to dig." He ushers you in, then gives a quick glance around to see who might have noticed the man entering...
Perception: 1d20+7
"Name's Jon. I'm the local herbsman here. I understand you've come for the festival? I have a lantern for you." He pulls a small carved gourd lantern from under a table where a great mass of greenery had obscured it. "I'm guessing we have some friends in common. Hand in hand, as it were. What shall I call you, then?"
You see a young man at your door, with a far too youthful face. By the slightly unkempt sleeveless tunic and dusty leggings tucked into a pair of simple boots, it is plainly evident that he has traveled a goodly distance to your door. He bows his bald head, a match for his clean shaven face, to the waist, never taking his intense blue eyes from you at your welcome.
As you usher him in, his movements are deliberate and unhurried, yet filled with purpose. He accepts the gourd lantern, raising it slightly and nodding in thanks before hanging it on his satchel.
Gendo, I respond politely, if a bit tersely. The festival is a secondary, if more immediate reason for my presence. Of prime importance, it is my understanding that you are to be my guide to Daena's Shrine.
An strange girl is seen coming through the gates in Three Oaks this morning. A tall, slender beauty with lustrous black hair, smooth tanned skin and dark eyes. She is adorned with beads and feathers. Her feathered cloak has a natural sheen to it. She is alone, but for a pack-llama - a beast used more by the mountain folk and dwarves of the high alps than in these parts. People who stop to greet her receive a gracious - but reserved reply and she looks right into their eyes in a way most wouldn't expect from the local girls - she's a young woman really. But what a woman! She is not like the other girls in town. Not like them at all! She leads her llama through the streets. She keeps her eyes open for lodging tonight. She observes the people. She stops for refreshment by the oak trees and wonders at the world in general.
Gendo, I respond politely, if a bit tersely. The festival is a secondary, if more immediate reason for my presence. Of prime importance, it is my understanding that you are to be my guide to Daena's Shrine.
Jon nods and pours two cups of tea and offers the young man a seedcake. "I imagine I'll be guiding you and possibly others. But we've got to make an appearance at the festival, or else things will look suspicious. Have a cup of tea and cake. People round these parts don't hurry off. Relax a few minutes and we'll head out shortly. Did they give you a mask or will you need one?"
Jon nods and pours two cups of tea and offers the young man a seedcake. "I imagine I'll be guiding you and possibly others. But we've got to make an appearance at the festival, or else things will look suspicious. Have a cup of tea and cake. People round these parts don't hurry off. Relax a few minutes and we'll head out shortly. Did they give you a mask or will you need one?"
Gendo, I respond politely, if a bit tersely. The festival is a secondary, if more immediate reason for my presence. Of prime importance, it is my understanding that you are to be my guide to Daena's Shrine.
"It is always best to think like a man of action, act like a man of thought." I respond as I accept the tea and cake. "Thank you."
After taking another mouthful of tea,"I have a mask - Raven."
Tilting my head slightly to one side, in an almost subdued voice, as though thinking out loud, yet looking at you directly, "If not making an appearance will arouse suspicion, then not participating in a contest or two would also arouse suspicion. On the other hand, participation would attract attention as well - in a far less ill mannered way, but unwanted attention all the same...we all see through obscurity eventually, but fail to see the obvious until after the fact."
After an appropriate amount of time has passed, Jon will pull out a red rooster mask from a drawer, brush crumbs from his beard and light his gourd. "Come, I think enough time has passed. Be at ease, no one will suspect a country cousin in town for the festival. Keep your mask on, your gourd lit and be polite. Everything will be fine. Now, Gendo, let us enjoy the festival."
Jon leaves the shop, lets Gendo out and locks the door behind him. (Not a very complex lock, just a simple one.)
Before leaving Jon's shop, I light the gourd lantern and don my Raven mask.
"A grave task to enjoy something when ill matters are afoot, but enjoy we will. Lead on cousin."
Auric looks out the window of the smithy toward the town square, staring curiously at the strange girl with the wooly animal and barbaric clothes.
"Who could that be?", he wonders aloud.
He steps out, curiosity getting the best of him, and approaches the girl by the oaks.
"Hullo there. Welcome to Three Oaks. Are you looking for something?"
Auric looks out the window of the smithy toward the town square, staring curiously at the strange girl with the wooly animal and barbaric clothes.
"Who could that be?", he wonders aloud.
Auric looks out the window of the smithy toward the town square, staring curiously at the strange girl with the wooly animal and barbaric clothes.
"Who could that be?", he wonders aloud.
"Hullo there. Welcome to Three Oaks. Are you looking for something?"
The girl's dreamy eyes meet the blacksmith's gaze squarely as he speaks to her...and although her accent is quite strange - she speaks very clearly.
I am looking for a stable to rest this animal. And some decent lodging to rest. And I would like to make a visit to the local temple....for I must speak with one of the wise men in the this village. But at this moment I am enjoying the cool breeze and the rustling of the oak leaves above me, and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is Oroupah.
Auric and Gildin finish their workday, lingering around long enough to discover that there are no clandestine packages awaiting them around back of the building. They spend the rest of the day putting up garlands and lanterns, or hauling benches and barrels into place.
Jon Commoner assures Gendo that they will leave as soon as they are able, making his guest as comfortable as possible for his stay tonight.
------------------------
The following morning, dawn breaks clear and cold. With the autumn sun shining in the sky, it should be a fine day. The village slowly awakens into an easy, festive spirit. Folk begin moving in from the outlying farms and ranches, trickling into the village center. Many mill about in the green, while others move to the inn, where bowls and platters have already begun to appear on the trestle tables arranged out front. Many have already donned their masks, while others carry them or have them hung around their necks, so as not to inhibit their sampling of the various pastries, pies, and other assembled goodies.
The arrival of the strange woman and her equally unusual animal draw quite a bit of attention from the locals. A few offer greetings, but the rest simply gawk from a distance. A small group of children gather near Oroupah, examining both her and her pack animal. They wear masks-- cunningly crafted of wood, paper mache, cloth, and other materials--in the form of goblins, monsters, and undead things. Emboldened by their numbers, they move up to form a half-circle around Oroupah as she sits with her back against one of the great oaks. Raising their hands, they point at her and cry out in a sing-song voice:
"Treats! Treats! Treats for us! We'll bedevil you if you put up a fuss!"
"Hullo there. Welcome to Three Oaks. Are you looking for something?"The girl's dreamy eyes meet the warrior's gaze squarely as he speaks to her...and although her accent is quite strange - she speaks very clearly.
I am looking for a stable to rest this animal. And some decent lodging to rest. And I would like to make a visit to the local temple....for I must speak with one of the wise men in the this village. But at this moment I am enjoying the cool breeze and the rustling of the oak leaves above me, and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is Oroupah.
Auric nods, maintaining eye contact. As he responds, he gestures back and forth pointing out landmarks with his four-fingered left hand after he pulls on a mask made to resemble a falcon.
"My name's Auric, I work at the smithy over there. Pleased to meet you, Miss Oroupah. The Huntsman's Rest is over there, they should have room in the stable for your.. llama, is it? Llama. The temple's over there if you want to pay your respects to Baal. Ouryn's got some masks for the Festival. Old Tom, our warder, lives over there; he might have a gourd for you too. So... where did you come from, if you don't mind my asking?"
"Treats! Treats! Treats for us! We'll bedevil you if you put up a fuss!"
[ooc]We'll presume this event happens before Auric speaks with Oroupah.
Finding herself surrounded by children and gawking townsfolk, Ouroupah suddenly feels the need to rest at the oaks, take a breather and keep her composure. It has been so long since she has walked among human folk...and troubling emotions form her childhood threaten to overcome her. But she senses no malice in these kids...or at least nothing like the fear-stoked taunts she knew when bullied as a child.
She reaches into her pack, which is slung onto the llama's saddle, and pulls out a skin of cool water along with a parcel of seedcakes. She slides a few of the cakes from the parcel and shares them with the kids with a smile. Then she leans back on the wood of the tree and looks around the green - taking in the sites and marvelling at the sights....when the blacksmith arrives and they exchange greetings...
Having passed a companionable night with Gendo, Jon places his Rooster mask on and leads the two of them out into the village. "We must be seen. If someone is missing from festival, the village rumors will fly and we need to avoid rumors."
It is late in the morning by the time William and his stepfather arrive in Three Oaks. Before leaving, Andras insisted they finish several chores around the ranch that william felt could have easily waited till the next day or even later in the week without penalty. He feels that his mentor is simply dragging his feet...as he seems to do often these days.
Once they have secured their cart at the Huntsman's Rest, William and Andras unload the 3 small casks of the Paladin's renowned black-current mead before heading inside. Once inside the common room of the Huntsman's Rest, Andras pours himself a mug of dark ale and finds a seat next to several of his long time friends. William quickly procures his own ale and moves crosses the crowded room to join them and eager to catch a good story or two.
After half an hour of idle chit chat and complaints about the weather, William decides he is out of luck and moves to take his leave, "Well, I shall see you fine gentlemen later. The fresh air beckons and your bow is eager to prove it's worth, father.". Andras leans towards him and whispers, "Remember, you are here for a meeting, not to play games.". William smiles, "It's a long festival, I'm sure there will be ample time for both.". With that he dons his fox mask and sets out into the village green.
William greats those he passes warmly as he leisurely makes his way across the village toward the newly set up archery range. He is mindful to keep a lookout for anyone with a red rooster mask as he walks.
Perception :
"Treats! Treats! Treats for us! We'll bedevil you if you put up a fuss!"
[ooc]We'll presume this event happens before Auric speaks with Oroupah.
Finding herself surrounded by children and gawking townsfolk, Ouroupah suddenly feels the need to rest at the oaks, take a breather and keep her composure. It has been so long since she has walked among human folk...and troubling emotions form her childhood threaten to overcome her. But she senses no malice in these kids...or at least nothing like the fear-stoked taunts she knew when bullied as a child.
She reaches into her pack, which is slung onto the llama's saddle, and pulls out a skin of cool water along with a parcel of seedcakes. She slides a few of the cakes from the parcel and shares them with the kids with a smile. Then she leans back on the wood of the tree and looks around the green - taking in the sites and marvelling at the sights....when the blacksmith arrives and they exchange greetings...
The children gleefully accept their treats, giggling and running off to find someone else to pester, leaving you to continue your conversation. Most of the other villagers nearby seem content to gawk at your animal.
Willam: You find the green bustling with activity, with folk readying areas for games and contests to be held soon. A table has been set up nearby where a gnome with hair streaked green, brown, and red, sits, scratching things into a ledger as people come up and speak to them.
You peer among the crowd, noting a large number of masks, many of them notable for their craftsmanship or their outlandishness, but spot no roosters among them at the moment.
William waits until the gnome appears to have a free moment before approaching, "It's a fine day for the festival, wouldn't you say?", he turns his gaze toward the gently fluttering leaves of the towering oaks, "The winds seems favorable today, would you be so kind as to sign me up for the archery competition this afternoon?
Having passed a companionable night with Gendo, Jon places his Rooster mask on and leads the two of them out into the village. "We must be seen. If someone is missing from festival, the village rumors will fly and we need to avoid rumors."
"So where should we start? Given that there are contests and my youth, though I care not for whether I am victor, perhaps a contest entry or two."
.... So... where did you come from, if you don't mind my asking?".....[/b]
I have come from the high Rakers and the Eyries of the Akaara- but I was born among the Noot-Chat clan on the Tindal coast. My guiding star has led me to this land, and I am here now to celebrate the autumnal festival. So are you saying I can have a mask of my own? And a gourd, too? How interesting. I think I will visit Old Tom then. Thank you for your help, Auric. I shall see you at the festival I hope?
It's difficult to note Auric's expression from his mask, but from the quirk of his lips he seems astonished. His gaze takes in Oroupah and her odd clothing and pack animal again, and returns her look. He nods slowly. His blue eyes seem to measure her and what she's said.
"Wow, outside the Marches. It's awful rare to have visitors like yourself around here. As far as I know Old Tom will get you a gourd- he's a good sort, not likely to let you fall prey to evil spirits in the new year just because you're a stranger. I'll be around if you want to grab a beer and talk later. Have fun, eh?"
Auric excuses himself to sign up for a game or two, wondering about the beautiful barbarian girl and what she said about a star. Could it be code for something that he was supposed to pick up on? No, it must have been for someone else... or she was serious.
Sense Motive:
Auric gets in line to sign up for games- wrestling and feats of strength being his preference. He keeps an eye out for a red rooster- whether it's someone in a mask or painted on a building or a literal rooster, he's not completely sure.
Perception:
Thinking it over, Auric frowns. Could she have been the contact and he didn't realize? A stranger wearing feathers, she spoke of a star and Daena is the moon goddess... but wouldn't a rooster be a man? She wasn't dressed in red either...
Oroupah makes her way to Old Tom's - looking around the building with curiosity. She approaches...
"Good morning. I am looking for Old Tom - for a mask and gourd...but how am I to use the gourd?"
"So where should we start? Given that there are contests and my youth, though I care not for whether I am victor, perhaps a contest entry or two."
"Let's wander. We will see what the day brings." Before he steps outside his face changes, becoming once more the slightly moon-faced foolish look you saw before.
Oroupah makes her way to Old Tom's - looking around the building with curiosity. She approaches...
"Good morning. I am looking for Old Tom - for a mask and gourd...but how am I to use the gourd?"
The place is a modest cottage near the center of town. The door is open and upon poking your head in and inquiring you note that the front room appears to be set up as some type of workroom or shop. Various bottles and jars are lined up on shelves behind a wooden counter. Bundles of dried herbs hang from the ceiling, and a strangely carved gourd, with a snarling tusked face hangs from a beam right in front of the door. It's a rather ugly thing, but cunningly crafted.
"A moment, I'll be right there," calls a quavering voice from a doorway in the back of the room. Shortly thereafter, a bend old fellow comes hobbling into the room. He is quite likely the oldest man you've ever seen. His pink head is crowned with thin wisps of white hair and his face is almost obscured by wrinkles as he smiles at you.
"Good day, young miss, and a happy High Harvest to you. A mask and a gourd, you say? You can get yourself a mask over at the inn from Ouryn. As for a gourd, you must want one of my spirit lanterns." He putters around behind the counter for a moment and pulls up another carved gourd like the one hanging in front of the door, though a bit smaller. A ghoulish face has been carved into it. He places it on the counter in front of him.
"Simply light the burn pot inside it once night falls. It shall protect you from the spirits said to prowl about on this night, so long as its light continues to burn. I've attached a cord so you may carry it or hang it from your belt, as you choose. I could use a drink to whet my whistle. Shall I escort you to the Huntsman's Rest so we can get you a mask and me a cup of wine?"
William waits until the gnome appears to have a free moment before approaching, "It's a fine day for the festival, wouldn't you say?", he turns his gaze toward the gently fluttering leaves of the towering oaks, "The winds seems favorable today, would you be so kind as to sign me up for the archery competition this afternoon?
He has a mask, cunningly carved in wood and painted, in the shape of some type of songbird, sitting on the small table before him. He turns large blue eyes upon you.
"But of course, good sir. One silver will buy your entrance into the competition. How shall I mark you in the book?"
Auric gets in line to sign up for games- wrestling and feats of strength being his preference. He keeps an eye out for a red rooster- whether it's someone in a mask or painted on a building or a literal rooster, he's not completely sure.
Perception: 1d20+3
As you wait for the halfling in front of you to finish signing up for the archery event, you cast your gaze about on the crowd, looking for some sign of a rooster, but alas, there is none to be found at this point. In the meantime, you look over the list of events scheduled for today and note the following with openings available:
*wrestling
*stone throwing
*mock combat
*archery
*knife throwing
*foot race
"Let's wander. We will see what the day brings." Before he steps outside his face changes, becoming once more the slightly moon-faced foolish look you saw before.
"So where should we start? Given that there are contests and my youth, though I care not for whether I am victor, perhaps a contest entry or two."
"Ahh. People see what they want to see. I understand. Well, then let's wander towards the town center and see what we may."
Auric gets in line to sign up for games- wrestling and feats of strength being his preference. He keeps an eye out for a red rooster- whether it's someone in a mask or painted on a building or a literal rooster, he's not completely sure.
Perception: 1d20+3As you wait for the halfling in front of you to finish signing up for the archery event, you cast your gaze about on the crowd, looking for some sign of a rooster, but alas, there is none to be found at this point. In the meantime, you look over the list of events scheduled for today and note the following with openings available:
*wrestling
*stone throwing
*mock combat
*archery
*knife throwing
*foot race
Auric looks over the list, and (since he feels competitive today) settles on wrestling, stone throwing, mock combat and the foot race. He pulls out a silver coin and stretches his muscles for the competition.
He has a mask, cunningly carved in wood and painted, in the shape of some type of songbird, sitting on the small table before him. He turns large blue eyes upon you."But of course, good sir. One silver will buy your entrance into the competition. How shall I mark you in the book?"
William chuckles, "Preferably you may mark me as the victor, but alas, William Varrus will have to suffice for the time being." While the Gnome adds him to the list, William looks over the other competitions, "I think I might try my hand at the knife throwing as well, would you be so kind?" With that, William sets 2 silver coins on the table before turning to address those behind him. "May fortune smile upon each of you, my friends!"
The gnome takes William's coins and scribes his name in for the two events.
"Best of luck to you, William. I'm Gargin, village tailor when I'm not overseeing the festival games. The judges will announce when your events are starting. Next, please!" he calls, awaiting the next in line.