"Splendid! Let's hurry then, it's nearly time." the mayor says, making his way along the road to the festival field.
The festival itself takes place around 3:00 in the afternoon, with two families primarily taking on the brunt of the preparation and setting things up. Some villagers drag tables from barns, while others set up small pavilions, picnic quilts, and even a makeshift stage on the festival grounds in the northern part of town (area H) to prepare for the afternoon’s festivities. Unlit piles of wood for bonfires stand around the field’s perimeter, and an open space in the center is cleared and ringed with benches for the festival’s games and competitions. It’s unusual for visitors to come to these festivals a few of the townspeople gathered mention to you, but once the fun is underway the joy of the event quickly overwhelms the villagers’ natural reticence toward strangers, and for the few hours the festival and feast persist, the group is almost made to feel at home.
You see a great many 'stations' set up in the field, including the starknife throwing (known as 'Falling Stars'), the raven fights, the three-legged race, and the Dreamer's Leap, which looks to be the act of taking a running jump before jumping over a 10 foot diameter, 3 foot high fire pile.
The mayor, who had broken off from you to ensure last minute preparations are taken care of, rejoins you within a few minutes of you taking in the sights of the festival.
"Welcome to the Founder's Festival! Feel free to mingle and have fun, try a few events. We'll wrap up the first part of the festival after the last raven fight, and then move on to the greased pig chase!"
Park wanders around the event, introducing himself and any of the party that stay near him to any of the townsfolk that seem interested. He does not mention why they are here other than that they are travelers on their way to Lepidstadt. He does stay away from the raven fights so Birdie won't be upset....
Zhandar stays close to Park out of paranoid safety. She tries to keep her hood up and relies on the charismatic bard to distract from her demonic appearance.
When she has a free moment, she mixes three concoctions of cat's grace, in case any of her friends wish to try their hands at the games of skill and don't mind using magic to increase their chances.
It was to Raj's benefit to appear 'social'... or so he calculated. He wanted the locals as off-guard about him as possible, and playing their festival games could help with that. The only question was... did he play to win or play to jovially lose?
He roamed the field and watched each game before he decided to try the Dreamer's Leap.
Park stays with Mila checking to see if there's any particular timing to the events. Can they compete in the Star-Knife throwing and then the three-legged race?
While you're all walking around the festival and enjoy the sights and sounds to be had, Kendra takes the opportunity to approach Rajuna after his attempt at the Dreamer's Leap.
"You look like you're having fun! It looks like they're setting up for the three-legged race." she says, looking around at the crowd of villagers a bit awkwardly. "Would you like to, ah, be my partner for the race?"
The Dreamer’s Leap was easy for someone with Raj’s training. To get locals excited and (hopefully) rooting for him, he decides to leap the bonfire without a running start. He makes a show of warming his legs up with some squats and taking a few practice strides toward the inferno as he tries to ‘envision’ his route over the fire. When he finally takes the leap, he does a standing long jump and easily sails over the fire.
"You look like you're having fun! It looks like they're setting up for the three-legged race." she says, looking around at the crowd of villagers a bit awkwardly. "Would you like to, ah, be my partner for the race?"
Raj briefly debates revealing how true Kendra’s first statement is… that he is trying to look like he’s having fun. But he didn’t want to ruin her mood with his suspicions. Best her reactions in the public eye be honest and natural. Her follow-up question flusters him. ”Wha? Well, I… I’d be real pleased to be your partner, Ms. Lorrimor. If you’ve done this sort of race before lemme know, I might need to lean on your expertise.”
When they get to the three-legged race Park listens to the rules while tapping a strange rhythmic beat on his spell component pouch. He whistles to Birdie and points to where he wants the bird to wait. "This will be quick Birdie. Just wait there and cheer us on!" He grins at Mila as they tie legs together. "Just a good stride. We don't need to risk a sprint...."
Zhandar watches the others participate good-humoredly, but tries to keep her eyes open to watch for signs that something is not right, or any evidence of the man that they are searching for. She does her best to avoid getting distracted, though she laughs quietly and applauds her companions' showings in the games.
Kendra seems quite impressed by Rajuna's jump and so do the villagers. They all clap and cheer in excitement as he nearly flies over the fire pile without any visible effort.
"If you’ve done this sort of race before lemme know, I might need to lean on your expertise."
She laughs, taking Rajuna's hand and nearly dragging him over to the three-legged race.
"I've never done anything like this before at all, which is why it'll be so fun!"
Round 1:
-Park and Mila: Park succeeds at his roll to move up to 40 feet, waiting on Mila's roll.
-Rajuna and Kendra: Kendra passes her check to move 40 feet, waiting on Rajuna's roll.
-Villager Team 1: manages to move 30 feet forward
-Villager Team 2: doesn't move at all, and in fact falls down.
Zhandar, who has been so worried that someone will discover her obvious heritage and be upset about it, suddenly discovers that there's absolutely no reason to be nervous concerning her appearance.
Another tiefling, dressed in what looks like a simple woven dress enters the field from the village. Her skin is an ashy grey as opposed to the weathered red of Zhandar, but the villagers don't seem to even react in the slightest to her appearance beyond being happy to see her. That is partly because they like her, and partly because of the tray of baked tarts she is carrying.
Eventually, the newcomer tiefling approaches the hooded Zhandar, and smiles before holding the tray of pastries out towards her. She is much older than Zhandar and looks the part, her skin cracked and worn from years of hard work at something.
"You don't have to hide, young one. They don't have any prejudice you need to worry about."
Raj can’t help but enjoy Kendra’s excitement and holding her hand. She hadn’t really smiled in awhile and it was good to see. He tries to match her spirit. He ties their legs together and puts a hand around her waist, pulling her close, practicing a little bit to synchronize their steps.
Yeah, I’m doing this strictly to win a race. That’s what I’ll tell the judge afterwards.
”OK, let’s do this! You set the pace and I’ll follow your lead. Keep an eye on Park. He looks like a cheating cheater.”
Round 1:
-Park and Mila: Park succeeds at his roll to move up to 40 feet, waiting on Mila's roll.
-Rajuna and Kendra: Kendra passes her check to move 80 feet, and so did Rajuna. The two move 80 feet forward.
-Villager Team 1: manages to move 30 feet forward
-Villager Team 2: doesn't move at all, and in fact falls down.
Mila grins sheepishly as she lets Park draw her over to the race. "Back home there's one we do with a wheelbarrow, but I ain't tried this one..."
Park's tune seems to be urging her on! She gives a startled grin at Park, delighted and impressed with how well they seem to be doing.
"Hey! We ain't fallen down yet!" Pride goeth before a fall....
Park grins as they make their way ahead of the locals, but then just laughs when he and Mila get out of sync and have to stop.
"That's OK. We'll pick it back up. But look at Kendra and Rajuna! Hard to belive that speed."
Raj cranes his head to get a view of their competition and nearly stumbles seeing how far ahead they are. Thankfully, his reflexes are well-honed and enable him to recover without tumbling into the dirt.
Round 2
While Park and Mila flounder about towards the beginning of the race, Kendra and Rajuna fly forward at surprising speed and actually finish the race handily ahead of every other team.
Kendra giggles as she unties Rajuna from herself, before giving him a large hug and exclaiming in joy.
"We won! Did you see how well we worked together?" she says once the group has all regathered together.
The other two teams of villagers are disappointed that they were so badly beaten and shown up, but seem happy enough about the ending.
"Great job you two!" one of them calls out to the pair.
As Park and Mila hobble up on the winning pair he laughs. "I'd ask how you cheated to move so fast, but I know better. I just didn't know Kendra could keep up with you Raj!" He reaches down to start untying his leg from Mila, then pauses and grins up at her. "Unless you want to stay tied to me?" He waits for her laugh before finishing removing the rope.
Mila does laugh-- and blush-- but shakes her head no, and lets Park get on with untying the rope.
"You two did so good!" Do y'all get a prize or something?" she says, earnestly congratulating Raj and Kendra. "I don't think this game is the one for me, but maybe I'll do better at the knife toss!"
A few minutes later, she can be found studying the unusual four-pointed star-blade of the dream goddess. Mila frowns, hefting it to try and get a sense of its balance. Arrows are one thing....
"It don't seem like it's really made for distance," she muses. "Not how an arrow is. I'd better stick with the closest target... be lucky if I hit even that, I think. Though Desna's supposed to be lucky!"
Mila's first three throws are a bit... bad. Short of the target by a good distance. Then well past it. Then thrown crooked so that it bounces off! She bears the losses with good humor, laughing at her own comically bad throws and gamely trying again. As a total novice with this weapon, she experiments next with a sideways fling, sort of like skipping a rock, or a discus-- and is rewarded with a good solid hit!
"Hey!! That's one!" she crows, pumping a fist in the air. Eager to try and improve on her just-discovered 'technique', she tries again-- and once more hits the target!
"I'm getting the hang of it!" she yells excitedly to her traveling companions. Alas, pride goeth before a fall a second time today. In her eagerness to hit the target a third time, Mila lets go of the starknife a little too soon, and it flies dangerously off course, nearly hitting .....
Eventually, the newcomer tiefling approaches the hooded Zhandar, and smiles before holding the tray of pastries out towards her. She is much older than Zhandar and looks the part, her skin cracked and worn from years of hard work at something.
"You don't have to hide, young one. They don't have any prejudice you need to worry about."
Zhandar regards the woman suspiciously, and nods to her uncomfortably. Perhaps it's her upbringing, but tieflings walking about like normal human beings feels wrong to her, and only serves to heighten her paranoia that something unpleasant is going on. She tries to smile without appearing that she is simply baring her fangs. "Uh, hello," she says awkwardly and without apparent emotion. She shakes her head at the tray. "No thank you. I'm-- I'm, uh, not hungry."
Uncomfortably, she realizes she has become separated from the rest of the group and looks about to see where they have gone. After a few moments, she spots Mila and Park over by the starknife throwing, and slowly backs away from the pastry woman.
Kendra giggles as she unties Rajuna from herself, before giving him a large hug and exclaiming in joy. "We won! Did you see how well we worked together?"
Raj is thrown by the hug. ”Yeah, we work pretty good. Have to see if there’s a faire in Lepidstadt.”
The other two teams of villagers are disappointed that they were so badly beaten and shown up, but seem happy enough about the ending. "Great job you two!" one of them calls out to the pair.
”It was luck. We had a level patch of land and your spot looked like a washboard.”
Mila has a tough time with the starknife throwing competition, finally managing to get two of the things to stick into the target. However, she notices that the rest of the villagers seem to have the same non-proficient awkwardness that she has. The rest of the field doesn't do too much better than her, funnily enough.
Do y'all get a prize or something?
One of the villagers hears Mila's question and steps in to answer. "No prizes for each event, but one lucky girl will receive the Founders' Feast Queen wreath! It depends on a lot of things, but the judges will choose the Queen after the feast tonight."
Is this woman hiding something?
"No thank you. I'm-- I'm, uh, not hungry."
The elderly tiefling seems disappointed, but not overly offended. She sets the tray on a nearby table before standing next to Zhandar as she looks around the festival.
"I could just tell from how you were acting that you feel as if you don't belong here, amongst the 'more normal' humans. Trust me, I know how you feel, I've been there too. When I first settled here many years ago I didn't feel like I had a home here either. You'll see that this particular group of humans isn't all that bad."Kendra smiles at Rajuna. "I don't think it was all luck." she says, smirking before excusing herself to go try her hand at the starknife throw. (She isn't any better than anyone else was, it turns out. But it's the attempt that counts!)
"I think you'd have to practice years to get good with these things," Mila muses to Park, watching the ongoing starknife attempts. "--a'course, the same's true for bows or whatever! And I bet also for your fencin'... did you have any famous duels?"
She smiles earnestly at the villager who mentions the wreath. "Gosh! I bet that's an honor for the young ladies, huh? Is it flowers and such?What do they gotta do for it?"
What do they gotta do for it?
"Good question! It's mostly up to the judges, but generally winning events and...being popular in the village is the usual way most of them win, if we're being honest." the villager answers, her voice dropping to a whisper towards the end.
Park chuckles quietly when Mila asks him about famous duels. "No. And I'm just imagining the reaction that Petyr would have if he were here and heard that question. You see.... and this is kind of embarrassing for me. At college I had some difficulties with the dueling groups. You see, I didn't come from a family with money. My weapons training was more practical, so I didn't favor the rapier like the others. I answered the duel challenges with my machete. They laughed at first and said that I needed a real weapon. I shut the first guy up by giving him his dueling scar as a slash across his forehead. Of course I healed the slash right away so there wasn't an actual scar, but that just made things worse. Then I had my first, and only 'official' duel. We ended up both 'nicking' the other at pretty much the same time. The 'wounds' were treated in the mundane fashion so we both got our Lepidstadt scars." He points to a spot on this forehead right at the hair line. "Barely noticeable, and pretty ridiculous after the fact.... I didn't push for more duels after that and the guys pretty much left me alone about it, except for those that 'tagged' me as 'machete boy'."
Shortly after the three-legged race is finished, the call of a loud whistle is heard across the entire grounds. After the last raven fight ends, the villagers quickly erect a low fence of timbers around the central competition green while a pair of brawny villagers bring a squealing, sickly-looking pig into the enclosure. To the cheers of a growing crowd, the men slather the increasingly agitated pig liberally in slippery grease before tying the end of the rope around its neck to a post.
One of the villagers explains that the goal is for three people to climb inside the low fence and the first one to wrestle the pig and pin it to the ground wins! The crowd is full of people telling you that newcomers to the festival get the first shot.
The mayor pushes his way through the crowd until he's next to you and laughs. "It seems as if the village wants you to try it first, are you going to turn down such an honorable challenge?"
Park looks at the pig and grins at the folk around the area. "I've always heard that if you mud wrestle a pig, you both end up muddy but the pig likes it.... That said, I guess it's all for fun. Guys? Who all wants to get dirty?"
Park chuckles quietly when Mila asks him about famous duels. "No. And I'm just imagining the reaction that Petyr would have if he were here and heard that question. You see.... and this is kind of embarrassing for me. At college I had some difficulties with the dueling groups. You see, I didn't come from a family with money. My weapons training was more practical, so I didn't favor the rapier like the others. I answered the duel challenges with my machete. They laughed at first and said that I needed a real weapon. I shut the first guy up by giving him his dueling scar as a slash across his forehead. Of course I healed the slash right away so there wasn't an actual scar, but that just made things worse. Then I had my first, and only 'official' duel. We ended up both 'nicking' the other at pretty much the same time. The 'wounds' were treated in the mundane fashion so we both got our Lepidstadt scars." He points to a spot on this forehead right at the hair line. "Barely noticeable, and pretty ridiculous after the fact.... I didn't push for more duels after that and the guys pretty much left me alone about it, except for those that 'tagged' me as 'machete boy'."
Mila listens wide-eyed, even leaning in to peer at his 'Lepidstadt scar' with a bit of goggling. "You just go at each other with swords to prove stuff? That's-- I dunno, I thought it'd be more-- like-- um for a lady's honor, or something..."
Further discussion of when it's good to try and go at someone else with a sword-- or a machete-- is put on hold by the pig contest. Mila bursts into laughter at the sight of the pig.
"Oh gods! We're gonna get a sight worse'n muddy! That oil ain't comin' out short of a three hour bath with soap that'll strip your top layer of skin in the process."
Despite her dire words, Mila unshoulders her bow and pack, and takes off her over-tunic as well to be down to the lighter top she wears beneath it. She cheerfully reaches down into the dirt at their feet and gets a handful of it, rubbing her palms together to try and give them some gritty traction.
"Let's get ourselves some bacon!" she hollers with a whoop, being the sort of girl who does 'holler' on occasion, and hops the little fence into the pen. "You're goin' down, Porky."
Bloody damn Hells… Raj was not interested in this game, at all. But he was trying to get in good with the locals and if letting them laugh at him while he tried to wrangle a slick pig did it – fine. The thief shakes his head then looks to Kendra, ”You mind holding some gear for me?” He immediately places his burnoose in her arms, followed by his bandolier, weapons, wrist-sheath, and finally his leather jerkin. He kicks off his boots and stuffs his socks in them.
Down to his leather trews, Raj’s fitness is displayed. His upper body is all whipcord muscles and not a few blade scars. He stretches his back and shoulders then adroitly hops the fence into the makeshift pig-pen, mud sloshing over his bare feet. ”OK, let’s battle this fierce predator.”
In his larcenous heart, as Mila goes for the pig, Raj debates tripping her... but instead decides to play the game fairly.
"I could just tell from how you were acting that you feel as if you don't belong here, amongst the 'more normal' humans. Trust me, I know how you feel, I've been there too. When I first settled here many years ago I didn't feel like I had a home here either. You'll see that this particular group of humans isn't all that bad."
Zhandar tries again to smile politely, but her oversized teeth get in the way, as always. "You're acting strangely, for me. Thank you. Do you, uh, get many visitors here? I would think the event would be a draw, but my friends and I seem to be the only ones who aren't from here. You didn't by any chance meet the tax collector that came to Shadowbrook for last month's festival? Named Kyle, I think?"
Park grins at Mila's reaction and joins in. The gear, weapons, armor, etc. hit the dirt. He laughs and tells Birdie to "Watch the stuff...." and joins in the 'combat'.
"You didn't by any chance meet the tax collector that came to Shadowbrook for last month's festival? Named Kyle, I think?"
She rolls her eyes, overly exaggerating the motion before answering. "That's what you're here for? Did the mayor not tell you that we've already paid those taxes? Enough of this at the festival, I'm sure the mayor will get this straightened out after, if he hasn't already."
Zhandar gets the feeling that she isn't being completely honest when speaking about the tax collector situation being handled the first time, but can't exactly pin down why or what it could mean.
Mila manages to pin the greased pig to the ground quite easily, to the sounds of raucous laughter and celebration. A fair number of the crowd point out (in jest of course) how the woman beat the two men that took extra steps to prepare themselves. As she takes a look at her captured prize, however, Mila senses that something is very, very wrong with said pig. Something is...squirming underneath its skin?
Mila grins up at those around her, both her traveling companions and the villagers she hasn't met yet, even as the pig in her arms does its level best to break free. It's kicking with all its legs and.... it's got four legs... and yet... she feels weird pressure against her arms where the legs ought not be...
Mila looks down, her grin transforming into confusion tinged with revulsion.
"--Somethin's wrong with this pig!" she shouts, a warning to villagers and her allies alike. "It's-- something's in it!"
She grits her teeth, trying to maintain her tentative hold on.... whatever it is she's got. Are there any kind of undead that live inside pigs? Hells!
"Rajuna! Park! I'll hold it as long as I can!"
Zhandar stares at the tiefling woman as her demeanor changes. Aha, she thinks. She doesn't want to talk about Kyle until after the festival, because there is something wrong about what happened to him. And she knows what it is? She looks around at the other participants, and uncomfortably backs away from the woman with the pastries. She checks to make sure her friends are still where she can see them. "Yes, uh, of course. We can talk about it after the festival, yes. Thank you. That's fine."
Her mind races as she slowly attempts to make her way toward Park and Mila. Why does waiting until after the festival matter? Does she think we won't be able to discuss it afterward, or that she won't have to discuss it for some other reason? I must warn the others, I believe we are in danger!
The pig struggles under Mila's grasp before suddenly going still and limp. It only lasts a few moments however, as the things' intestines burst out from its back and flail around, smearing blood all over Mila. The creature (which is certainly not a pig anymore) resumes its attempts to break free of Mila's grasp.
Init
23- Park
15- It
12- Rajuna
9- Zhandar
9- Mila
Park looks at the.... thing in horror. "What is that, thing? Mila! Protect yourself."
Not knowing what the thing is he does know that it is obviously dangerous. He sings his battle cry empowering the music to encourage his friends. He draws his dagger and moves in opposite Rajuna.
The 'pig' doesn't attempt to free itself, instead turning its mouth towards Mila in an attempt to take control of the grapple itself.
It comes close, but doesn't manage it this time.
Init
Round 1
23- Park
15- It
12- Rajuna
9- Zhandar
9- Mila
Round 2
23- Park
15- It
12- Rajuna
9- Zhandar
9- Mila
Raj steps in as Mila ‘rassles’ with the viscera-pig. He waits for the moment when she swings the pig between them and then he tries to end the creature with two hard, flat punches to what he hopes is the thing’s skull
Stunning Fist (4):
Ki Pool (4): x
Shuriken (16):
MW Shuriken (12):
Scabbard of Vigor (1):
Wand of Mage Armor (50):
Effects:
AoOs (6/rnd) – Constant
*Uncanny Dodge – Constant
Mage Armor – 4 hours
Zhandar runs up, a little out of breath, exclaiming "My friends, there's--" when she sees the pig-monster. Her eyes widen in shock and fear, but she has the mental stamina and wit to draw out one of her prepared concoctions of cat's grace and toss it at Park, where it instantly vaporizes and is delivered to him through his skin.
"I believe the four of us are in terrible danger," she finishes quietly.
As Zhandar gets a first look at the creature, she attempts to identify it.
"I believe the four of us are in terrible danger," Zhandar finishes quietly.
"Me, RIGHT NOW!" Mila yells, some horror still shading her tone despite her firm grip on the monstrosity. She has never wrestled any enemy in earnest-- closest she's ever come is play-wrasslin' with her friends growing up-- and it's either sheer luck or Erastil's blessing that has her locking her arms tight around the... whatever it is.
It's hard to get a good look at something she's currently using her body weight to hold to the ground, but she tries to steal glances at in between moments.
Park recognizes what Zhandar is doing with the thrown potion and inhales the mist deeply before moving in to try and kill the.... whatever the thing is?
Mila identifies it as a plague zombie pig, and receives four questions to ask about it. Park and Rajuna team up to do some damage to the pinned pig, but not enough to take it out apparently.
The pig struggles under Mila's grasp but still can't escape it.
Round 2
23- Park
15- It
12- Rajuna
9- Zhandar
9- Mila
Round 3
23- Park
15- It
12- Rajuna
9- Zhandar
9- Mila
It's funny, Mila thinks as she tries to keep the disgusting thing locked in place-- mud, blood, and viscera all making this task more difficult-- but her daddy'd never mentioned adventurin' was so.... gross.
Don't open your mouth, she thinks to herself. Bad enough it's all over her arms and shirtfront and in her hair and all. This close, it smells foul-- not just the smell of a farm animal, which Mila is more than used to, but like rot and disease... rot... disease...
"It's plagued!" Mila calls out, recalling a shambling form she and her mother had once put down. Humanoid, not porcine, but--
"Gotta hack at it to hurt it proper! It burns and such okay! Get back after you hit it, it's gonna burst at some point!"
Meaning she'll get a faceful. Also, she just got a mouthful, too, as she couldn't tell the others that information and keep her mouth shut. Mila resists the urge to hork.... it'll just make things more slippery.
Raj has to respect Mila. That girl is stupid brave!
But self-sacrifice is what you made your enemies do, so they can die for their cause before you have to die for yours. He steps away and deftly pulls a few shuriken from his pockets. He never went unarmed, never. ”No! Drop it and back away! We’ll kill that fv@<ing thing from a distance!”
Raj waits for Mila to get away before hurling shurikens at the diseased porker.
Stunning Fist (4):
Ki Pool (4): xx
Shuriken (16): xxx
MW Shuriken (12):
Scabbard of Vigor (1):
Wand of Mage Armor (50):
Effects:
AoOs (6/rnd) – Constant
*Uncanny Dodge – Constant
Mage Armor – 4 hours
The pig gets a nice bite out of Mila's leg as she lets go and steps away, but luckily Rajuna steps in and finishes off the plagued beast with his shuriken. It explodes just like Mila had said it would, throwing its viscera in a wide splash zone.
The crowd, which has been mostly frozen in both shock and fear up until it explodes violently, quickly unfreezes and back away in disgust. Most of the villagers look like they want to vomit, but none of them do.
Raj eyes the crowd briefly for reactions Uh huh... even as he hustles over to check on Mila's leg. "Get some water to clean the wound! You OK?" There's not much he can physically do to help as he is liberally covered in mud and gods-know-what already.
Park moves up to help Mila, but doesn't know what to do about the wound and possible infection. "Mila? Zhandar? Do either of you have create water prepared? I can dry us all with Prestidigitation. But I think a quick rinse would help. Once Mila's wound is cleaned it can be easily healed."
He glances around and quietly states to the group. "I don't see concern about the monster. It was undead. Has the Whispering Way infiltrated this little town?"
Zhandar draws out her canteen, which still has some drinking water in it from before they set out from Ravengro, and begins to look after Mila. She cleans the wound, crushes some herbs and rubs them in, and wraps it with clean cloth. She also mixes some powders into another cup to cast tears to wine and drinks it herself before offering it to the rest of the group. All the while she is looking nervously at the gathering crowd and giving the others looks that suggest she also does not trust the people of the village.