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The feast is excellent, helped in some capacity by the mixing of flavors. The chef is an apprentice magician and tries to approximate a coconut's taste, but needs it described to him to even get close. When it appears everyone is full, another round of applause is held as the teams are listed in descending order. When Without Trace or Fail is named, Ostog Oakfeller interrupts.
"If it pleases the Linnorm King and all others to whom this race holds stake, we should be in last place, not fourth. We have sullied the name of the Balgirdtrek. We tried our hardest to hamper the Unexpected Pathfinders and, to a lesser degree, the Fangs of the Remorhaz. Gruen Storval was most distasteful of their inclusion in the race, thinking it might dilute the traditions that have kept us strong. I will admit to having some of the same misgivings." He is drowned out for a few seconds at stunned muttering and boos. Gruen the priest looks particularly furious. Apparently Ostog wasn't content to take all of the fall when he decided to come clean.
After a moment to compose himself, Ostog continues. "Yes! We set additional obstacles in their way, paid off some to view them as frail and hold them back at the slightest sign of injury. Some trials were tampered with. All of these were setbacks the newcomers overcame. That is to their credit. If they can do so without complaints or help, I have no more reservations about their involvement in years to come.
"But that is not enough, of course. As a team, we came to this decision, and so shall we share any punishment that is deemed necessary. Thank you." Ostog sits back down, leaving a frantic announcer to confer with other officials as to what should happen next.
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Upon crossing the finish line, Katerina almost collapses in relief. "I am not made for long distance races like this. Thulgrun, thank you for showing me the way. I would have likely done something foolish if you weren't here."
"Lassie, don't sell yourself short. You did fine out there. You might even get good at it in a few dozen years." says Thulgrun, as he claps Katerina on the back in what appears to be affection of some sort.
As for helping with the cooking, the most Thulgrun would do would be to make sure that many things have a healthy handful of chilis in them.
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After the announcement, and when he has a chance to do so in semi-privacy, Thulgrun goes up to Ostog. "That was a brave thing you did, admitting your guilt. While I don't condone the activities of your guilt, your ancestors would be proud that you found your honor in the end."
Followed by, "But don't do it again!"
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Ostog tries to clap Thulgrun on the back if the dwarf looks amenable. "Honor is no cheap currency around here, I'm sure you get that. That and your acceptance just prove my point - I haven't even gotten into your tangle with an Ulfen bear! I'm resigned to a punishment of some sort, but I wouldn't call this a loss overall."
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Eventually, your time with the Ulfen is over, and you are returned to the Iceferry Lodge. Your treatment is much more cordial, and some even accompany you back to see you off and hope for a reunion at the the next Balgirdtrek.
When you arrive in Venture-Captain Torrsen's office, he is already sitting to face you with a smile on his face. The gnome Liralla stands beside him, and launches into speech as if already told what to say.
"Pathfinders! The events of this year's race were apparently so tumultuous, the organizers saw fit to contact me via magic to inform me of the results. From what they told me, you succeeded in your mission. If you'd care to elaborate? It sounds like all manner of excitement and hopefully fun, a trek of that length. I had half a mind to go myself, but I'm glad you had the opportunity."
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Duma is proud but a little embarrassed that he didn't actually contribute much to the effort.
"V-C Torrsen, my companions here were outstanding among a very impressive crowd of competitors - especially Thulgrun here, who took down a massive bear very nearly single-handedly! Indeed, I would be honoured to travel with them all again!"
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Zarina blushed Awww ... I don't think I was that outstanding ... although I had to rescue someone who had fallen in the river .... and yeah, you were right about it being really really cold. It was okay once I got in .. the problems started when I got out. There's gotta be a spell for that.
But yeah ... it was okay. Might go up to watch the next one .. not sure I wanna do that again in a hurry though. But yeah ... a bit of healing here .. a bit of healing there ... that was me
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”We’ll, the bear kind of pisses me off. I am sorry if I lost my composure during that fight. ” says the dwarf, visibly blushing.
”As it happened, one of the teams was rigging the race, making our obstacles harder, as well as those of the Fangs of the Remmoraz. They came clean, and no one was really hurt, so at least Ostog’s honor is restored.
“The team worked well together. We covered for each other’s weaknesses, and did not let anyone stand in our way. We raced with honor.”
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Note that this should be read at a reasonably fast pace.
"It was awesome! I mean there were a lot of days where all we did was walk, but we also did some contests- totally crushed those- and met some new friends -you know the ulfen and the varki don't get along that well- and more walking and more contests, and there was this bear/monster thing that beat up on some ulfen but Thulgrun was able to take it out- you hear fist-of-stone and think it's just a thing folk say then you see him in action and well...- then we won then there was a party and some cute girls and a lot of food and drink and Ostog was like 'I started out not liking the Ultimate Pathfinders but they're actually great people and returned my honor to me even though I still should be punished for being a jerk'- did I say it was AWESOME!?"