The sorcerer smiles at Ka'kara's reaction. "Just a little," he says with a grin. "I'm Vulcan,"he says, walking with her to the balcony.
As the stunning warrior's anger arises at the sight of people shooting at the elegant birds he frowns.
"I would hope so if he is killing them, however I wouldn't bet on it. Nobles have a notorious lack of respect for the laws of nature." He replies grimly a few sparks of electricity flashing in his eyes, a note of disdain in his voice.
Vulcan's words seem to galvanize his companion's resolve, "We'll see about that." With a dangerous look in her eye the angered woman begins to make her way, moving through the crowd with the practiced ease of one trained to move through a chaotic battlefield, toward the bird cages...Roylenna has seen that look before...
Valgrim grumbles when he realizes that Midas used a repeating crossbow and he cannot beat his challenge but participates anyway to keep him happy. Midas' strategy: Best way to win is to cheat!
Vulcan hesitates for a second, then places a hand on the stunning amazon's shoulder matching her stride. "I wouldn't. He's extremely powerful, in his domain, surrounded by his friends and currently holds a charm linked to you and your sister. Does he deserve it? Yes. Good idea? No."
The brash young woman stops at Vulcan's words with a look of pained confusion, "The charm? I had forgotten." She shakes her head, "The charm doesn't matter...but you are right, my father would expect me to give a chieftain respect...even an enemy one." She sighs and says seemingly mostly to herself, "His customs are strange to me but deserve to be honored, that's what a chief would do." She, almost gently, takes Vulcan's hand from her shoulder, "Thank you..." The "amazonian" turns and walks toward the balcony picking up two crossbows from the rack on the way and loading them.
Round #1
Round #2
Round #3
The barbarianess steps up to the balcony in her brilliant feather dress that, through serendipity, closely mimics the sprays of color the dying birds emit. Her first shot she tries to line up two birds and then surprisingly she throws the entire now spent crossbow at another bird bringing it down. She shifts to her other hand to follow up her previous shots with another well placed bolt. Reloading she takes down a forth bird and barely manages to clip the fifth with the second thrown crossbow. As the crossbows hurtle out of sight it occurs to her...I bet those were expensive...
Bublaka mingles among the crowd, chatting amiably and watching for one that might be Lashonna.
Friar mingles as well and tries to speak to Lord Kilraven to get a feel for the man, to see if he is the only noble soul around in this evil city.
Ka'kara is declared the winner (unless you care to try to outdo her), and Lord Sess is not looking very happy. An almost impossibly fat dwarf with a rosy red nose and piggy eyes dressed in browns and reds laughs raucously and pats Ka'kara's back as he wolfs down the roasted corollax that is being served.
Feres manages to befriend Lord Kilraven, who admits that he took you for more of Lord Sess's goons. In an undertone he mentions that most of Maskholm's inhabitants aren't really that happy with Lord Sess's rule, and that he might even be toppled some day if a contender should arise - when the time is right... He declines to say more but greets you with respect.
After the slaughter of the curious avians, the fabler leads the party back into the house, through a maze of doors and halls, and eventually down into the extensive basements. He does so by walking on his hands the entire trip, finally leading the group into one of the wizard’s underground miniature arenas. The guests are directed to sit on the curved benches surrounding the sunken fighting pit (which contains two four-foot-square bird cages swathed in dark silks), while the Fabler explains the nature of the event.
The misshapen gnome retrieves a small oak box from a locked chest and opens it, withdrawing a pair of silver rings. “And now, we come to some lively sports and baiting, my friends! These rings are ensorcelled with magic such that those who wear it can direct the actions and movements of one who has been… specially prepared, as a receiver.” He hobbles over to the prince and hands one of the rings to him. “The prince would like to challenge one of you to an honest fight, utilizing what lives at the other end of these rings as proxies. Are there any of you brave enough to meet the prince’s champion on the field of battle?”
Valgrim applauds the barbarian's creative thinking. When the second contest is announced, he stands, walks over, and puts on the ring. "Did I hear battle? My favorite pastime! Okay, what have we got here?"
The fact that we seem to be eating the slain and then roasted birds seems to put the warrior at ease and she gives both dwarves a winning smile. Ka'kara downs part of a corollax herself in a most unladylike fashion. As Valgrim accepts the challenge she asks those around her with a little disbelief in her lowered voice, "Proxies? Why would someone need one?! I fight my own battles." She seems oblivious to the fact that she may be inadvertently insulting Valgrim to those close enough to overhear her. Such odd customs...how did father ever deal with all of them?
Ka'kara is declared the winner (unless you care to try to outdo her), and Lord Sess is not looking very happy.
Chuckling and speaking low as though keeping joke between them, Bublaka congratulates Lord Sess. "Wherever did you find such a beautiful and talented woman to entertain your guests? I took her for one of the random invited, especially after the little one's tale, but I can see that you must have brought her specifically to catch us off-guard. Brilliant! Well done, indeed. This is a fantastic gathering, sir!"
Midas breaks out in a smile. "Inventive, I grant you that." He gives Ka'kara a meaningful wink.
The Fabler removes the covers from the bird cages below, revealing a pair of cockatrices. The rings give Valgrim and Midas the ability to perceive through the senses of the cockatrices.
The Fabler pulls a silk cord and releases a dozen feral cats into the arena — the cats immediately begin racing in circles, fighting and yowling in anger. The Fabler raises his voice over the rest of the crowd and announces “If you can create more ornaments than the prince, and if you can survive his champion’s wrath, you’ll win a most fabulous prize indeed!”
With that, he pulls a second cord and the cages in the pit below open, allowing the two cockatrices within to escape into the arena. The fighting pit is thirty feet square, and the object is to control one’s
cockatrice and petrify more cats than the other cockatrice. Once all of the cats are petrified, the two cockatrices are to fight one another for the win.
A halfling woman named Miszen Mitchwillow bets conversationally on Valgrim. Although slightly overweight and a little nervous looking, Miszen remains rather cute in appearance. She’s got light brown hair, wears an amulet made of snake scales and teeth, and dresses in a black cloak and fine noble’s clothes in dark shades of blue and green.
Valgrim tries to control the cockatrice and petrify the cats!
During the fight, dishes of eggs are served — boiled ones of unusual size, eggs scrambled with fine meats, and even a strange cocktail of egg mixed with rum. It turns out to be an exciting fight. Valgrim and Midas each manage to petrify six cats, so it comes down to a duel, but finally Valgrim manages to petrify his opponent and is declared the winner and rewarded with a huge golden egg (worth 1000 gp).
After the cockatrice fight, the Fabler leads the guests back upstairs and out into a long, narrow garden on the north side of the palace. By this time, twilight has fallen, and the garden has been lit by numerous differently-colored continual flames cast inside skulls hanging from delicate silver and golden chains. Here, a curious game has been prepared. A mound of differently colored human skulls has been arranged at one end of the garden, and the Fabler takes pains to ensure the guests are arranged in a semicircle around this mound of skulls.
“And now, my beautiful friends, we come to the final game of the evening. I present to my wondrous prince an unfortunate criminal named Jack,” announces the Fabler, as he hands the prince a human skull that has been painted black. “And to the rest of you, I present these delicate treasures!” The Fabler indicates the stack of differently colored skulls. “The prince shall throw Jack to the far end of the garden, and the rest of you shall toss a chap of your own. The thrower who comes the closest to Jack shall be declared the winner!”
Midas makes his throw, and Jack lands near the far end of the garden, about 50 feet away from the party-goers.
One of the throwers that does really well is Captain Vulras, a dark-skinned man with a small neat goatee. He is dressed in flamboyant and very expensive robes.
Ka'kara hefts a skull in her hands, curiouser and curiouser... She gives the skull a toss.
Friar approaches Captain Vulras, after Bubba points him out to group (). He feels the man out, congratulating him about the orcs and trying to get him to see how he feels about Midas.
"Go ahead, Vug, show us how it's done!"
Vug winds up for the pitch...
(with Heroism)
"It's all in the wrist, you see. A simple matter of alchemical biomechanics!"
Sandros eyes the distance with a skeptical expression - much as he has worn all night - but he finally makes his throw.
During the sport, servants pass around gingerbread men without heads. The evening grows late as the game ends, and the sun sinks behind the horizon.
Vug elegantly flicks the skull just beside the Jack, knocking Captain Vulras's skull out of the way and winning the contest. The prize is a necklace bearing a silver skull with ruby eyes (worth 2500 gp). Vulras is a good sport about it and congratulates Vug. He is obviously not a fan of Midas, and lets it be implied that his rangers would happy to help unseat him should push come to shove.
After the bowling of the devious heads comes to a close, the peal of an unseen gong sounds the call for dinner — the feast is ready! The Fabler leads the guests back into the palace and thence to the Great Banqueting Hall.
A massive, cylindrical chamber rises through the heart of Midas’s Palace. A tremendous round table of polished mahogany dominates the room, the walls of which are decked with portraits and landscapes of great quality. A large number of these feature Lord Sess himself, although the enigmatic Lashonna, a silver-haired, pale, remarkably beautiful woman, dominates one prominently placed portrait near Midas’s place at the table. A vast stained glass dome depicting what appear to be angels at play arches gracefully above, its perimeter decorated by a ring of severed heads mounted on iron spikes some twenty feet above the polished marble floor.
The Fabler bids the guests to be seated. Each setting bears a name on a card and a dazzling array of cutlery, including ten different spoons.
Vug gets a seat near Midas, as does Bubba. Valgrim is right opposite V'juss, the cohort of B'kruss, who's seated between Roylenna and Ka'kara. Vulcan sits next to Mahuudril and Feres next to Hemriss. Sandros is seated with Miszen, who's making eyes at him. There are of course many other guests to talk to if you should like.
One chair, the one directly opposite Lord Sess, remains curiously vacant— at least until a few moments after everyone has seated. At this point, one of Midas’s servants announces the arrival of the final guest. As Lashonna enters the Great Banqueting Hall, everyone rises from their seats. The woman is dazzlingly beautiful, with alabaster skin and long silver hair set back with a tiara of black diamonds. Everyone in the rooms feels her gaze settling upon them. Lashonna greets Lord Sess with a nod but says nothing, and gracefully takes her seat at the opposite end of the table from the prince.
Valgrim auto-makes Perception check and mentions the erinyes devils to the party before they are seated. Can't doubt their evil intents now can we?
Valgrim is nervous about the dazzling array of cutlery set before him and delays eating when served until first looking at Bubba to see what cutlery he picks out. His keen eyes quickly identify the utensil.
Valgrim joins the others in standing when Lashonna comes in. Guess she wanted to make an entrance!
As the last of the skulls come to rest, the barbarianess forgets herself and claps Sandros on the back with a laugh, "You landed right next to me! At least we did better than most."
She pauses to take in the beautiful stained glass dome. After a few moments her eyes narrow as she notices the images of the "angels" at play. Seeing that Valgrim is studying the stained glass also, she lowers herself and leans in close, "Why would anyone want that on their ceiling?"
Once seated Ka'kara nervously eyes the array of utensils set before her, Why would anyone need more than one of each?! She glances periodically past V'Juss to try and get any hint of what to do from her sister. Her annoyance with Roylenna grows as she sees that the halfling is busy schmoozing with anyone and everyone, You were supposed to be helping me! She glances across the table at Valgrim but sees that he isn't making a move toward any of his cutlery either and that his attention seems to be elsewhere. Sighing she looks to V'juss hoping for a kindred spirit, "Um...do you go to celebrations like this often?" She inwardly cringes at hearing her own awkward question, Ugh!...That sounded so much better in my head...
Vulcan studies the array of silverware while making small talk, taking in the multiple likely uses for the utensils and coupling it with what he knows of high society. With supreme confidence he begins the meal reaching for the appropriate utensils when needed, even the obscure ones.
Vug examines all of the spoons, noting the merits and disadvantages of each.
Diplomacy (with Heroism):
Roylenna almost squeals in delight when she realizes the wide array of cutlery is sized for halfling. She touches and examines each one with some wonder, putting them back carefully each time before looking around, eyes bright as usual.
the diminutive spellcaster chats with her neighbors about all the events of the night. She catches her sister's eye at one point and gives her a little shrug, I don't know, either!
Bublaka is on his best behavior seated so close to the host, but sees his friend's confusion. Looking over the display at his setting, he nods to himself. Knowing Valgrim's ability to notice the slightest change, he prepares himself to signal the dwarf once it's clear which item is appropriate.
Gazing up at the stained glass, the bard notes the deceptive nature of the art. "Stunning and unusual decor, your highness. Absolutely stunning."
Midas stands and silence falls upon the banquet hall. “My dear friends,“ he begins, and as he does, the decapitated heads above echo the word “friends” in a ghoulish tone. “I bid you enjoy this feast, eat and drink your fill in my humble abode.” He claps his hands once. An instant later the great doors to the kitchen swing open and a trio of manticores enter to the ghoulish hoorahs of the heads. Yet these are no wild monsters — the fire is gone from their eyes, and their wings have been cruelly severed. Even the once ferocious barbs of their long tails have been surgically removed. Each manticore carries great platters on its back, and a host of distorted servants trail behind them, eager to begin serving food.
Each guest is given a small covered silver goblet.
When all have been served, the Fabler stands and tells the guests of a proud Maskholm tradition. One of the founders of Maskholm was a desperate pilgrim who washed up on the harbor shore. He had not eaten for many weeks, and he fell upon the moors to die. As he did he saw a worm emerge from the ground, and he realized the worm was a gift from the gods that he should live — and so he devoured it. In Maskholm it has always been the tradition to start a feast with such a celabration of thanks.
The Fabler bids that the guests now do the same. Inside the silver goblet writhes a fat, greasy worm, its glistening flesh a nasty shade of green.
Sense Motive:
"Come everyone, where's your sense of adventure?" Vug cheerily encourages the reluctant.
Know (nature): automatic
"Perfectly harmless, and possibly quite tasty. Well, down the hatch and thanks be to the gods!" Vug eats the worm with enthusiasm. Her hedgehog-shaped tumour wriggles with delight at the thought of a nice, juicy grub.
Valgrim thanks his blessings that it's not a Kyuss worm and not wanting to offend the host, swallows the worm in one gulp without biting into it.
Sandros is perfectly at ease with the formal feast setting, flirting in a lackadaisical fashion with the buxom halfling ("You wear such a fetching amulet, my lady. It draws the eye right to your... heart") and watching with quiet amusement as Ka'kara and Roylenna fuss about, trying to sort out the dining accessories. He also spends some time studying Lashonna, although he is careful not to stare to the point of rudeness. When not so distracted, though, his frown continues to deepen, particularly when the enslaved manticores enter. By the time the Fabler brings out the worm-filled goblets, Miszen can likely hear his teeth grinding. As soon as he sees Vug and Valgrim swallow the worm, he does so as well, slamming the slimy creature down his throat almost defiantly.
Completely unaware that she has offended her host, Ka'kara is nevertheless relieved as dinner is started to distract from her silverware fumbling. Her relief is short lived as the maimed and disfigured manticores are paraded by. Finding it harder and harder to find possible explanations for the mounting evidence that their host is someone not worthy of his position her frown deepens, surely they must have slain someone close to Midas...but even so predators deserve a clean death! As the goblet is placed in front of her she almost scoffs openly, This was no worse than any of the dares she and the other younglings came up with for each other when they were barely ten summers old! Picking up the worm she chews it slowly while throwing Midas a defiant look as a challenge, to see if he is man enough to follow suit.
Bublaka raises an eyebrow at the latest show of cruelty, but only briefly, and swallows the worm whole when it is presented.
Roylenna is unaware of the host's displeasure and continues to enjoy the moment. She looks at the worm and wonders to herself if they have smaller ones for someone with a small mouth. She decides probably not, and picks up the wriggler and looks at her sister. Seeing her chew with gusto, the halfling tries the same, but the worm explodes from her lips and she is covered with worm guts from her chin to her waist.
With a minor casting, she cleans herself. Waving down a waiter, she requests a new worm and nods firmly to herself. I will get it right this time.
Midas glares at Roylenna, then turns his attention to Vug, and seems almost smitten by her. Lashonna looks amused. "Now that's a lady who can hold her ichor." he exclaims. The Fabler laughs obediently and a few others follow suit, but most guests are struggling with their worms.
After the first course, Lord Sess commands the Fabler to tell a tale. The
Fabler clears his throat, stands upon his chair, and tells an amusing story about a dryad whose tree is unknowingly transplanted into a bitter noble’s garden, and of the delightfully ironic fate she devises for the man. When the tale is done, the Fabler bows and takes his seat, at which point the Prince opens the floor to any other guests who may have a tale to tell. None of the other guests do but you might.
With a raised eyebrow and a shrug, Vulcan downs the worm as swiftly as possible, smiling sympathetically at Roylenna.
Friar chooses proper utensils and cutlery.
Friar reluctantly eats the worm as well and waits for Bubba to dazzle the crowd with a much better story than the Fabler's tale.
Bublaka accepts the invitation and stands. He bows to Lord Sess nearby and acknowledges the Lady Lashonna at the far end of the table with a second slight bow. A third bow to the Fabler, "A fantastic tale, my friend. It brings to mind another tale of a fey providing a lesson hard learned. If I may..."
Bublaka spins a yarn about a fair youth that liked to visit a certain crystal-clear lake in the woods where he would gaze upon his reflection and praise the gods for granting him such a perfect face and form. He was quite aware that it was only deserved, but felt it right to give thanks none the less. As it turns out, several fey including a nixie and a pixie that lived near (or in) the lake overheard his many prayers and recognized his hubris and decided to take advantage of it. With the use of magical talents innate and learned, they convinced the young man that lest he be on his best behavior, his looks could be taken away as easily as they had been given. In truth, the nixie merely altered the lad's reflection as it suited her and the pixie invisibly observed the youth's behavior when he was away from the lake. In the end, the boy came to realize that a beautiful spirit within could retain its beauty regardless of what age and accident might do to his physical beauty. Thus wiser, he found love and happiness alongside a young lady whose face had never turned his head, but whose heart was pure and love was steadfast.
Having sprinkled some sugar to offset the bitter tale of the Fabler, Bubba bows once more and returns to his seat.
"Oh yeah, I remember that story! Bravo! Well told!"
aid another:
Bubba's story is a smashing hit, and goes down far better than the Fabler's. Even Midas smiles, as he pointedly ignores Ka'kara and effuses over Vug.
For the second course, a single domesticated manticore enters. It carries an enormous pie on a silver dish of great size strapped to its back. Pastry beaks of birds cover the pie, and as everyone watches, the crust is opened and 24 blackbirds emerge, flying around the room in terror.
The blackbird pie has a delicately sugared and almond crust that tastes surprisingly good. As the pie is served, the servants bring in huge tureens of vegetables, along with plentiful supplies of a locally produced spiced white wine called Redhand Resinwint.
After the second course is complete, Lord Sess asks the Fabler for a song. The spriggan bows and stands on his chair again (glaring at Bubba as he does so) and proceeds to perform a catchy little tune on his pan pipes.
Again, you are invited to come up with a song.
Valgrim is surprised as the birds fly out of the pie! Freaky! He indulges himself in the wine. Bah, dwarven ale is stronger! "C'mon Bubba, show the spriggan how it's done!"
Ka'kara catches Valgrim's eye and with a mischievous smile matches him drink for drink.
Wine save:
"What a wonderful banquet, Lord Midas! Are there any more surprises in store for us?"
The pale halfling mows into the vegetables with an appetite that belies her tiny size. Without a thought, she accepts some of the wine, downs it with a gulp and sits up, ram-rod straight, eyes wide. Looking at the glass for a long moment, she flags down a waiter for a refill and returns to gnawing on a carrot.
When the Fabler's completed his performance, she floats up out of her chair, disregarding other potential singers, and sings a song of springtime, full of references to sunlight, flowers, and butterflies.
Once done, she spirals down into her chair and takes another drink of the wine, looking expectantly at the half-orc with the silver tongue. Can he sing, too?
Clapping, "A marvelous effect!" He helps himself to the vegetables, but refrains from the wine for now as he listens to the little entertainer and then to the flying songbird.
I have no desire to make an enemy of the Fabler, but if we wish to have Lashonna's attention, I fear that's a price I will have to pay. The little one seems to just be enjoying herself - maybe too much.
The half-orc stands once more, allowing any other would-be entertainers their moment in the spotlight after Roylenna first. Bowing to those seated at either end of the table, he salutes each of the other singers with a tip of an imaginary hat.
"During our travels, we have had opportunity to meet fascinating people with amazing abilities, great generosity, or incredible wealth, or even all three. Naturally, I must count our host and many of our fellow guests among this number now. But we have also met people with no such claim to fame that have access to some of this land's beauty that is too often overlooked. If I may share some examples..."
With a clear, deep delivery, Bubba shares songs that he's picked up from campfires and tavern tables during their travels. Songs of legendary harts brought down by mythical ancestors, of terrible strife and wars won - or lost, of unexpected beauty found along a trail. He embellishes, of course, to make these tunes worth of the audience.
Vulcan chuckles knowingly at the illusion and the reactions of those unaware, while he thoroughly enjoys the wine.