The judge stands silent as you speak. "You speak wisdom. Little people can catch big fish, too. Demed will be allowed to continue. The rod will be confiscated and examined. I know a few people who will want to look into this." She hands the rod to an elven judge, who bows respectfully before taking it away. "Demed, your score will be penalized for endangering everyone."
She turns to your team. "I was tempted to disqualify him. But you remain fair even in the face of fierce competition. You have demonstrated incredible collaboration. We will adjust your score accordingly."
Deka turns to you all. "Thank you so much. I was worried Demed would... I want to beat him in this competition, but if he can't compete. My victory would taste like ash."
Demed wipes the sweat off his brow. "I... thank you. I didn't mean to. Let me, let me get back to my station." He is not good with words when it comes to being humble, it seems.
The staff clean up the beach and pier of crab guts. It's time for more fishing.
Black Molly: Attack
Severus Snape: Nature
Zibini: Attack
Nikma: Nature
Ulvard: Survival
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Perhaps he is still worried about the possibility of more giant crabs. Perhaps he just wants to show off his Big Sword. Or perhaps he is just wanting an excuse to jump into the sea again. Whatever the reason, Ulvard draws his greatsword and stands at the edge of the pier.
Peering into the water, he spies another great shadow, and with a whoop of delight jumps onto it, sword downward.
Black Molly spots a school of fish lazily swimming around the bay. So does everyone else. They quickly swarm the area before she can get there. Even worse they ignore Zibini's tricks. Nikma and Severus try to net some fish but they are too slippery to hold down.
Ulvard tries things Ulvard's way and emerges with a handful of wiggling fish to add to the collection.
The fishing wraps up soon after and judges begin to count the fish captured and show off the biggest catch.
A judge approaches you with necklaces made of scales and seashells. "While your fishing skills leave much to be desired," a few chuckles are heard. "You demonstrated dedication, bravery, ingenuity, and collaboration throughout the competition. We have adjusted your score accordingly and declare you winners of this year's Silverscales Tournament! Congratulations, Silver Sovereigns!"
The participants clap politely, some of them cheering. A few are already munching on crab legs. You can smell the barbecue smoke wafting through the air.
The judges award the other participants. Deka gets second place for scoring 12 points. An elderly Chelaxian woman named Arina earns 9 points, giving her a solid third place finish. "Heh, I'm always third..." She rubs her medal and the "biggest catch", a catfish the length of her arm.
Demed takes his fourth place trophy with a satisfied look. "I'm just glad to finish the competition."
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”Arrrrr!”, cries Silverbeard, raising his cutlass in victory.
He turns to the others. ”As fine a crew as any I’ve sailed with!”, he declares. ”First round’s on her!” He points at Black Molly with his hook.
”Awful generous with other folks’ money, aren’tcha?”, she retorts.
”What!? They earned it, ‘specially that big fella!”
In her head, he adds, ”First rule of bein’ a captain: keep one eye on the horizon, and the other on morale”
”That’s one more’n *you* have, ye old sea dog!”, she snaps back.
”Well, ye heard the Cap’n!”, Molly cries. ”Let’s get pissed!”
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"Wow, he's not picky, is he?" says Zibini as he watches Ulvard over a tankard much too large of something much too sweet, "I think that's his third pursuit in as many hours."
He hasn't yet had a chance to refocus and recover his power after the crash battle, but for him the whirl of emotions around him now was actually helpful.
The judge hands each of you a pouch of coins. "To the victors go the spoils." You count 4 gold pieces inside each pouch.
As the judges leave, Deka and Demed approach. Demed speaks first. "Thank you for your help. I... was a bit too eager this year. I'm just glad my pride was the only thing hurt."
Deka offers each of you a heartfelt handshake. "Anthusis may not be your home, but it always welcomes you. Stop by my restaurant the next time you are in town."
In Anthusis, the capital of the recently liberated nation of Vidrian, our adventurers joined the Silverscales Tournament, a fishing competition that the city hosts to ease tensions between its Mwangi population and the former colonists. Throughout the tournament, they pit their skills against rival twins and their crews while dealing with various unexpected complications. When one twin’s magical bait malfunctions, they faced dangerous giant crabs and claimed the prize!