You have all found yourselves in the quiet little town of Timber. Timber itself is rather plain and ordinary. The weather is typically drab and nothing exciting generally happens here.
Nothing, save one thing in particular. Along the western edge of town runs a short stone wall, standing little more than five feet high. This wall separates the town from what is locally known as the fey wild, a particular trecharous woodland extending father than few have dared venture, eventually ending at the ocean many miles away.
In general, the strange folk who habitat these woods are avoided, but every nine years at the summer solstice a festival is held. During these festival, strange merchants from deep within the fey wild set up their wares for one week outside the town, on the otherwise of the one and only break in the wall. The festival has long been regarded as a sacred place, and thus neutral ground. It is not uncommon to see all sorts of dire beasties roaming the grounds, and many a goblin set up stalls to sell their strange contraptions.
One of the main attractions every year is the stall of an old and mysterious elven wizard. The elf is renowned for his clockwork contraptions, and people from all around travel just to see his wares.
You arrive in town one day after te festival week begins. There is music and merriment all about you, and strange folks the like if which many if you have never seen.
Driana sank her vicious fangs into the chocolate pastry, brutally devouring it with satisfied grunts. Noticing some crumbs still stuck to her fingers, she greedily licked them, her strangely long and pointed tongue lapping at them like a dog drinking from its bowl. Belching loudly, she leaned on her sword with a content sigh, nodding at the rather anxious looking baker. He looked warily at her. she liked it when they did that "They know not to mess with ya Driana...damn straight!"
"Mighty fine bit of eatin there, Cupcake. I think im gonna let ya live!"
The man went visibly pale at the remark, eyes shifting left and right in search of someone to call for aid if thinks got violent.
"AAAAhahahahaaah!! Dont look so scared Cupcake, im just playin with ya. Aint noone goes to a party like this to get stabby ya know?
Holstering her sword, she stepped forward, grabbing hold of the mans shirt as he tried to back away from her advance. Pulling him closer she slapped him repeatedly on the back in a friendly, if rather heavy handed way.
"How much ya reckon for the whole batch eeh Cupcake?" she said, as she hoisted her backpack onto the counter of the small tent shop and started to scoop chocolate bun after chocolate bun into it. Paying what was asked, she walked off deeper into the market, backpack in one hand, the other scooping chocolate buns into her mouth as she took in the sights.
It had been a long while since she had last had to run from her past, and by now she was all but sure she had left those troubles behind. Being hounded by old friends and allies for months on end had not been easy, and for what? Just because she wouldnt accept the surrender of a damn Hobgoblin general? They hadnt been all that happy when she had chopped off his head instead. Sure they could have traded him back to his people for peace, but that would have lasted all of a month before they turned around and attacked again. The way she saw it, he hadnt deserved to surrender.
The others had said more soldiers would die because of what she had done, but she didnt believe that for one second. If they were to fall in battle, it had been Gorums will all along as far as she was concerned. And she still had the powers the Lord in Iron had granted her, surely He agreed with her? Or maybe He just didnt much care, He had never been known to bother much with what mortals did in battle, as long as the battles were fought, and she wholeheartedly agreed with her Lord. "Gorum is just the guy for a gall like me, yes sir!"
Spotting a booth with a game of strength involving a big hammer and trying to make a bell ring, she wolfed down another pastry before heading over to have a go at it.
ahoy! Fancy yourself a game of strength eh? You look to pretty a lady, surly you couldn't manage to win the grand prize... My special *cough* potion here! only 1 gold a go! See if you can call yourself master of muscles!
Driana looked at the loudmouth with an intense stare, her eyes digging into the man even as an excited grin split across her face.
"Surely I couldnt eeh? Sounds like someones a bit big for his britches if ya ask me." she laughed. It took a little effort for her to keep it friendly. She wasnt the kind to take challanges lightly, but also knew the man was simply jesting, trying to make her spend her money. "If ya wanna be jokin with people, ya gotta be able to take it yerself."
"Flattery wont save ya now Sweetcheeks. Still ima have to ask what so special about that there "potion" of yers before I go throwin good gold at ya." Looking sideways, her lips curled into a pondering pout, she added. "But I guess ill let ya talk me into a blind go first, but win or lose ya gotta tell me whats in that thing."
Without waiting for a reply, she dug into her money belt and flipped a coin at the man, then heaved the hammer over her head before bringing it down hard.
hehehehe not quiet lassy! you see that girls?
you now notice a small cage with what appear to be three miniature lovely ladies with butterfly like wings flitting about a cage. It appears they are talking to the little man running the strength booth, yet it only sounds like the ringing of little bells to you.
so you want to know about my little tonic eh? well it'll knock your sweet... scantly knickers... right off of... you... um...
the little man is clearly admiring your womanly figure, catches himself, and then blushes.
let us say its a bit of the ol' strength potion. will straighten you right out, make you fighting ready yes it will!
Looking at the caged women for a moment, Driana smirked at the little man, fire still in her eyes.
"Maybe if ya were a foot taller with some muscle to match id let ya keep starin, but as it stands ya best keep yer peepers to yerself. Besides, seems ya already got more than enough curves to gawk at." she motioned at the cage with the hammer.
"A potion of strength eeh? For 1 gold a go? That aint exactly good odds on makin yer money back. Ya wouldnt be a dirty cheat now would ya? Best hope I dont find out if ya are, I dont take well to little cheats." Again not waiting for a reply, she flipped another coin at the man, before bringing the hammer down again.
Dear me lady!!! What strength you have! A fire in yer heart eh? Or is it more like ice?... I was only a jesting! I was only a poor old man trying to sneak a peak at a fine lady backside! Take me potion and be off with ya!
you obtain a vial filled with a foul smelling liquid
Esther was enjoying the festival, she had come a long way just to see it. And as such on the first day she figured she would see all the special stands ...
Niah felt comfortable here. So used to the persecuting stares of others as she passed by, the variety of individuals and creatures at the festival and the ease with which everyone handled it was foreign but welcome. This comfort was in no small part due to everyone's acceptance of Matthias riding on her left shoulder. Usually the large raptor was off-putting to others and she was forced to have Matthias fly overhead or wait outside the town--as her only constant companion for decades this had always caused her no small amount of unease.
As she was enjoying the sights and sounds she heard a sharp cry. Quickly turning around she noticed that the youngest of a group of children had fallen and rushed over.
Niah always had a soft spot for children but as she approached the child's eyes locked onto Matthias and started to widen with fright, filling with tears. In that brief moment she looked into his eyes and saw depthless pools into the soul. This child was genuine and unmolested by the greater worries of the world. She smiled warmly.
It's ok, he's my best friend. He's only worried about you and he always looks scary like that. She winks. Let me see what's wrong.
The child took one last look at Matthias and then showed Niah his left hand and knee. Both of them had been scuffed in the fall.
Hold them still so I can clean them. Close your eyes, it looks worse than it really is and might make it hurt more.
The child put his hand and knee close to one another and closed his eyes. Using her waterskin, Niah poured the water over the wounds and began rubbing them clean, smiling as she applied a hex to mend the injuries.
As she watched the injuries faded, the child's eyes shot open filled with surprise at the lack of pain. He took one look at his now wet but uninjured hand and knee, cracked an enormous smile and hugged her before running off to continue to play with the friends that were standing on the sidelines.
Niah stood as the child ran off and suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder. She shuddered as her face grimaced. She knew what was about to happen, it happened almost everytime.
She turned around and locked eyes with what could only be the child's mother. In contrast to him, the mother's eyes were closed to the world, barriers thrown up between her soul and those outside from years of experience with the hardships of life. They appeared warm, but Niah could see the coldness within them--they were untrustworthy.
The woman thanked Niah for helping her child.
No problem. I am happy to... Niah's eyes unfocus and she quietly mouths a few words, whos meaning are wholling unknown to those around her. She then snaps back to looking at the woman. ...help in any way I can.
The woman looks at Niah, confusion and discomfort on her face after the exchange. She then shrugs, thanks her again and goes back to enjoying the festival.
Niah sighs. They always react like that.
Feeling a familiar squeezing on her shoulder, she follows Matthias's gaze to a nearby fish stall.
Hungry are you, dear? Let us see what we can do about that.
She then heads towards the stall, quietly mouthing words in her secret tongue.
There are stalls of all variety littered about the market. Strange and exotic foods, magic items galore, strange mysterious weapons, flowers and animals no one has ever seen. Races and peoples that wonder about are just as strange. As Esther walks around, a small, frail, old woman beckons for her to come up to her stall
ahhh hello my pretty little thing... a pretty little thing always needs a flower... good luck they are... good luck indeed heheheheHEHEHeheheEHEheEHEHE!
Niah walks up to a stall selling all sorts of strange fish. A funny man wearing a white and red striped hat greets here. He has a somewhat feline appearance, and when looked at out of the corner of her eye, he does, in fact, seem to have whiskers. From there to here and here to there, funny things are everywhere!
why helllllooooo there! I have one fish, two fish, red fish, and blue fish! Black fish, blue fish, old fish, new fish! This one has a little star! This one has a little car!
Hey pretty lady, you want some fish? My fish are the best fish. Never was a fish so mine!
Accepting her prize, Driana didnt move right away, instead taking a moment to look the concoction over with an appraising eye. She wasnt about to get cheated, even if it was only 2 gold peices "Ya can do alot with just 2 gold." As she tipped and turned the vial in front of her face, the other hand absentmindedly dug into her backpack, sending yet another bun to a toothy demise.
Driana recognizes the potion as what it was claimed to be, a potion of bull's strength. However, it also seems to emanate a faint trace of transmutation magic...
Realizing the value of what she had just won, at the pitifully low price of 2 gold no less, Driana scowled as if she had just smelled something bad. Feeling compelled to thank someone was one thing, but right after insulting him like she had just done...it gave her a sour taste in her mouth. Sighing heavily she put the bottle into her belt pouch.
"I wouldna thought it to actually be the truth. Ive no idea if yer a mad fool, handin out such prizes for so little, or just generous. Likely both. I...guess ya can have my apology then. Just dont get any ideas little man, ya still keep yer eyes to yerself."
Turning around to forge deeper into the market, she put a little extra sway into her hips as she sauntered off "He can have that much atleast, just as long as he thinks hes stealin a glance and not gettin a show." She smiled a toothy grin.
What a strange, fast talking fish monger. He looks somehow reminiscent of childhood.
Niah trusts few people, especially merchants--particularly those who talk like salesman.
Niah stops her arcane rambling.
Tell me more about these fish you have here. Her eyes briefly glaze over as if lost in thought. You seem to have a lot of unique species.
Catperson! How much for fishys?
A goblin with huge ears saunters up to the vendor. He has a musket strapped to his back that appears to be bigger than he is!
Zoggle want delicious raw fish meat!
The peddler eyes the two of you and says...
A fishy raw, a fishy stew? What fish what fish is the fish for you? a game we play, a game for fun! what fishy for you, lets see which one!
Zoggle want delicious raw fish meat!
Niah's stomach growls and Matthias gives her the "look".
Alright Matt, let's eat. Let me see...
Niah looks over the fish to make sure they are appropriate for both her and Matthias.
Her face suddenly contorts oddly as if she suddenly realized something she had heard and she glances over at the goblin next to her. Her face contorted in slight disgust.
Raw? Really?
Cooking takes scrumptious fish juices away. No more riddles, Catman. Zoggle wants to buy a fish!.
Niah picks up a blue, white spotted fish. Her survival senses start to tingle. There is no way in hell you think you should eat this fish.
Niah pauses, and looking the fish over returns her gaze to her goblin acquaintance. It requires visible effort to end her chanting of archaic phrases.
How does this one look? Raw enough for you?
Matthias clicks his beak, almost chuckling.
Zoggle sniffs the fish.
Survival
Zoggle finds nothing wrong with the fish.
This one looks tasty. How much?
He reaches for his pouch.
A slightly short and enormously broad shouldered tiefling strides up the lane, grunting "Fire, get your alchemical treats here. A vial of fire, only a few gold pieces. Fireworks, acid, I make it. You buy it?" He appears a little furtive as he holds a vial of alchemist's fire in one hand.
Spotting Zoggle with his (relatively) huge gun, the tiefling approaches and breaks into a sickeningly ugly contortion that roughly approximates a grin. "Goblins like fire, fire, fire and burning, yes? Alchemist's Fire?" He asks a little hopefully.
Niah smiles at the goblin.
I wouldn't have asked unless I was willing to pay. I felt bad for questioning your taste.
Niah asks the fish monger for the price of the fish and buys it for her associate.
Enjoy.
Niah observes the strange goblin and begins mouthing words in her strange language once more.
the fish is tasty the fish is cold! The fish is yours for just 1 gold!
Sitting on a small incline on the grassy field, Driana was just about to murder another bun, when she paused mid bite. "Who in the hells is doin all that that yellin? Its even louder than the rest!"
Putting the bun away she looked in the direction of the yelling, trying to pick out the loudmouth responsible for ruining an otherwise lovely break from the festivities. She was rather surprised to spot a man with massive horns protruding from his head, like those of a ram. It wasnt so much that he looked the way he did, as the fact that he too was touched by the powers from below, his heritage easily recognized. Where she herself apparently was a decendant of an ogre mage, an Oni, this one seemed to have something else in his veins. But what it was she had no clue.
Her curiosity piqued, she walked in his general direction, stealing glances between looking at the wares in the shops she passed.
Zern continues calling out "Alchemy, wonders, Fireworks gallore. Give me your gold and have a good time!" loudly and obnoxiously.
He glances around nervously, occasionally trying to pull a hood up over his horns. The hood doesn't fit well, and the horns poking out of it only accentuate his strange features. "I really need some coin, I paid most of what I have left for the caravan to get to this blasted fair. I hope someone here needs something burned or eaten. With all of the wizardry, I wonder if anyone will even want fireworks."
He spots another tiefling at a distance and starts to frantically look. "Are there others like me here? Could my mother have sent another of her children to reclaim me!? Or perhaps another one on the run from her parents..." He takes a few steps towards the other tiefling while continuing to hawk his wares.
Only if you can make my musket shoot fire.
I wonder where is the elven wizard and his marvelous stand.
Zern turns back to the Goblin who had headed his shouts. "I can indeed make your weapon shoot fire! It will blind your foes and scorch them so they can't see you. Let me see..." Zern starts patting around, searching for some cartridges or something that looks like them.
"Well... let's see. I have this fire you can throw, this acid... oh! I must have left the fire you can shoot back at the inn!" He says shiftily.
Esther wanders the market for about an hour, searching desperately for the famous clockwork wizard. He has never been late to the market, yet as the second day begins to wind down, he is still not anywhere to be found.
9 years, 9 long years since he last came, and now that i am in town he isn't coming? Why me? why meeeee?
As the goblin gets distracted by the noisy tiefling, Niah turns to Matthias, shrugs and then returns her attention to the fish monger.
It appears he has found something more interesting to do. Please pass this fish on to your next customer.
With that, Niah continues her arcane chanting and goes off to explore the rest of the festival.
I wonder if there is a booth for information on this event?
I'm sure we will find something to eat here, Matt...or at least something worth looking at.
Matthias beak clicks once more, this time in agreement.
"Blast it all, hes seen me! Ya gotta be more careful Driana, lookin at people only makes em wanna talk to ya...And ya know half of em aint worth talkin to, and the other half aint much fun either."
Grumbling under her breath, she pulled the hood of her cloak up over he head, its rather too large rim was perfect for concealing her own horns, which were thankfully not as pronounced as this other ones. She was rather fortunate in how her heritage had decided to present itself atleast. "Cover the horns, dont show em yer teeth and try to smile, ya look practically human then! Well a human with a permanent angry sunburn and pointy ears...and a brow like a neaderthal."
Walking a little closer, this time taking care not to be so obvious about it, she tried to get close enough to hear this other one speak. Hopefully he would sound like someone worth talking to.
Driana, you are able to non chalantly appear human. Or at least you look very human like.
Niah, you do a bit of searching and then find a stall run by a woman who claims to be a resident of the village of timber.
ya can never trust any of the dang fairy food here! Those rascals from beyond the wall always trying to spindle the normal folk. How would you like same tasty meat pies?
Niah looks at the merchant.
Few are worth trusting. Including yourself.
I'll have to take your word for it. Niah suddenly glances down at the ground as if she forgot something. Quickly muttering several of her arcane phrases she suddenly seems satisfied and returns to look at the woman. Yes, your word for it. Tell me about these pies. What is in them?
oh I have beef, chicken, pork, fish, veggies, cheese... All the pies you need!
The lady appears to be genuinely offering safe pies, most likely so the townsfolk do not have to worry about eating magical fish sold by sketchy rhyming fools.
The pies appear to be magically delicious, but not magical.
Esther, as you ask around, many folks seem to be concerned about the missing wizard... Noone had ever known him to be late, never in their lifetimes. You notice the fey and the other people from the fey wild seem especially upset by this lack of appearance, but seem content to at least wait another couple days before worrying too much.
Anyone walking through the market most likely ends up meandering by a large tent filled with many anvils and weapons. Over one of these anvils is an enormous muscular man working in a sword. A small bearded man stands outside
best cold iron weapons in all the lands!
Niah begins looking over the pies, periodically pointing at one and then looking at Matthias. Finally Matthias nods his head.
We will take that chicken pie.
Niah walks towards the the large man periodically passing Matthias some of the pie on the way.
Why are you selling cold iron weapons in a festival full of fey?
The little merchant's eyes grow wide.
Weren't you just at the pie stall about 100 yards over there? How did you know? Where did you come from? We sell cold iron because fey fight fey. Obviously. Hmph!! Do you wish to harass me with your trickery or purchase some fine items from ol billy boy here. Never seen a man so big have ya?
As all of you make your way around, seeing the interesting things and whatnot, you all find yourself in front of a crudely crafted stage.
A small gnome with a megaphone is on said stage, putting on an elaborate magic show. His spells whiz and fizzle, fireworks go off, rabbits are pulled from hats, clowns juggle, and so on.
With a bang, the gnome twirls and unveils a cage holding what appears to be some sort of owl and bear hybrid.
Behold! I, the Great Wizbomper, shall show you my most impressive trick yet! I shall use the ancient technique of hypnosis to tame this great best!
He then pulls a rope and the cage falls down, freeing the creature. The gnome closes his eyes and starts to chant and wave his fingers and dance around.
The creature is not amused... it let out a savage AAAAAWOOOOOO-HOO!, and then swipes the silly gnome aside with its giant paw. The market folk start running away in a panic... luckily there are brave adventurers about!
Everyone rolls initiative.
oh what an interesting magic gnome. i sure hope he knows what he is doing with the Owlbear.
After the beat goes berserk
Well apparently he does not.
Esther stares blankly at the owlbear... Unsure if this is part of the act or not...
EDIT*
Driana had followed the other Tiefling around for a while, eating her buns untill suddenly, her hand found no further treats at the bottom of her backpack. Burping and sighing in equal measure, she quickly realized the horned man had managed to lead her into a crowd which was surprisingly dense. Then the Gnome had started his act.
Driana had spent too many years severing bodyparts to pass up the opportunity of a free show, such merriment being rare in the tent towns of your average garrison. When the Owlbear was revealed, she hooted loudly and shook her fist over her head like a hooligan "This is gonna be good haha! But what in all the Hells is that thing? An Owl and a Bear? Man, you couldnt make this stuff up."
Nudging the person next to her she without taking her eyes off the spectacle, she remarked: "Bet ya anythin that feathery freak is more Owl than Bear. Probably tame as a kitten. This is more trick than magic if ya ask me."
Then the show REALLY got interesting.
"Hey, where ya all runnin off to, aint nothin but a big trick!" she yelled at the people flowing past her, the press of bodies making it difficult for her to maintain her position.
Zern had given up trying to sell his wares for the time being after not having what the goblin had wanted. He wandered over to the magic show and began watching the silly little gnome. After the bear-owl-claw beast thing broke free he debated. It's all just part of the act, right?
Looking around and seeing that it wasn't, Zern started to feel both panic and a conflicting blood lust in his veins. He looks around to see if someone is going to do something, wandering if there is a good direction to run, or if he should help. He shakily draws a vial from his pouch full of a black, bloody looking liquid and stares at it for a moment, then shakes his head violently. Then his tail flashes into his pack and pulls out a firework. He lights it and chucks it at the owlbear, covering his ears.
Niah looks the large man over.
You would be surprised, I have seen...
A ruckus interrupts her. Turning around, Niah sees the rampaging owlbear.
*sigh* Always with the chaos.
I'll have to get back to you on that one. Let's go, Matt.
With that Niah sends Matthias up into the air and begins her mystical rambling once more, this time with great enthusiasm as if its purpose was about to be fulfilled.
Niah's eyes unfocus momentarily, as if she is drawing upon some unknowable power. Snapping into focus, she directs a power stare upon the owlbear.
She then smiles and begins laughing maniacally before returning to her chanting.