"You were very strong indeed, cousin!" Vandalya Swiftmane says to Alessandria. "I did not think anybody would be able to beat Thula this year. We are conserving our strength for now, but you represented our people well."
Ruzadoya inclines her head in agreement. "Indeed. I believe you will be a strong advocate for centaurs' needs, now and in the future. Accept this weapon as a token of our alliance."
***
Khasprickle glares at Wispil. "Everybody's got it out for me! I'll bet you do too. I don't know what angle you're trying to work, goosey, but you'd best scram before I pluck your feathers out!"
***
Alyce laughs at Kilitsi's vapid chatter. The Eagle Knight quickly pegs the minotaur as harmless, and she happily chats away over the first course of the feast.
***
Alacreon accepts the food off of Gentle Storm's plate, delighting in the taste as he listens to the catfolk's story. He laughs heartily. "Indeed, indeed! The forest holds many secrets, and the First World even more so. My friend, I believe you had an encounter with a drainberry bush! They exhibit unusually high intelligence and have an astute sense of value. I hope you got a good deal for whatever you traded with it."
The satyr finishes his treat and licks his lips. "Mmm. That was delectable. Thank you, my handsome amurrun friend. What did you say your name was again? And... what, may I ask, are you doing later tonight?" The Laughing Prince raises an eyebrow and flashes a bawdy smile.
***
As the appetizers give way to the main course, a hush falls over the crowd as the wood giant Xivaga, a Wildwood Lodge elder and the official host of the Greenwood Gala, rises to his feet and raises a wooden mug in a toast.
"Friends, visitors, and fellow folk of the Verduran Forest. Tonight, we gather to celebrate the bounty of the forest, the magic of the Eld, and the spirit of friendship that brought us here today, whether we hail from the wildest depths of the wood or the soaring cities of empire. Let us raise a mug to changing seasons, the cycle of life and death, and the lifeblood of the planet that sustains us all. May our spirits be lifted by the songs of birds and the rustling of leaves, and may our hearts be filled with the wisdom of those that came before us. Let us honor the spirits of the land and the sky, the creatures of the woods and the waters, the fey of the forest, and the folk who journeyed here from beyond its borders to be with us this day. To the Wildwood Lodge."
Following the applause and cheers, individuals turn back to their own groups and begin making their own toasts toward neighbors.
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Smiling at the Prince, Gentle Storm knew better than to give the fey his name but a title that he may call him by. "You may call me Vuuthrund dear prince. And assuming I am able to be freed from my duty as a guardian of the gathering, I do not presently have any plans."
He runs a hand through his shaggy mane, pulling a bit of the wild mess around one of the horn nubs growing from his scalp. The mark of one who regularly assumed an antlered form, so much so that the animal features began to bleed into his own natural ones.
"We bartered on behalf of a willy gnome I believe partook too many drinks with yourself in the initial revelry. A lovely trinket of his own had been sold for a handful of berries to stave off the oncoming headache. I have never been to the First World myself, only in vivid dreams as I slept under the ancient boughs of the forest. Perhaps one day I might be graced with an actual visit upon those lands."
He sighs lightly in fond wonder, "For now however I should see to other guests, if you'd grant me leave. I wouldn't wish for me to become the only one to grasp for your undying attention." he gives a deep bow, but doesn't let his eyes fall from the Prince's own gaze. "Until we reconvene anon?" he purred.
Gentle Storm goes to raise a toast to the pukwudgie, but amidst the others toasting his own voice is simply lost in the mix. "I would like to congratulate the runner up captain for this years caber toss event. Khasprickle, though he did not compete himself his ability to put together an astounding team shows his good eye for character."
"To Alyce, brave Eagle Knight! We other birds can merely aspire to the heights you have attained," Higgins tipsily toasts.
Alessandria hoists a wineskin, a sardonic twinkle in her eye. "To Khasprickle, may this evening give him a chance to show his true worth."
After the feast has become more informal, she walks over to the pukwudgie
"I understand you seek to rally forces against the foes to come, but why should we harken to your banner. You found a wood giant to throw large objects, too obvious to showcase cunning, but you did not inspire Thuja to give her utmost. How have you been tested; what is your worth?"
With the hint that Khasprickle can succumb to flattery, Kilitsi tries her hand at it. "Those spikes are, like, so impressive. I bet they're even more useful than a good pair of horns!" she says.
Alacreon chuckles, and his eyes follow Gentle Storm as the amurrun departs.
***
Several of you toast Khasprickle, and all but Gentle Storm's words are well-received. Alyce Quinley smiles and inclines her head towards Wispil.
Not very interested in talking to Alacreon, Kilitsi drifts over toward Tanasha. "Like, what are you doing? Do they even have parties like this in Oppara? I totally heard that the last big party they had ended up with the guard killing everyone and then the big war for the crown or something? I think I even saw a book about this unlikely spy named Katria who helped save the kingdom..."
"So, what is going on in Andoran these days?" Higgins feigns interest in the politics of the situation while he attempts to flatter the envoy.
Khasprickle rankles at Alessandria's words. Still, though, he puffs up his chest. "My worth is immeasurable! I just haven't been granted enough opportunities to demonstrate it yet. Everybody always just ignores me and looks down on me. But one day they'll realize how sorely mistaken they've been."
***
Tanasha smiles politely up at Kilitsi. "The parties in Oppara are of a different sort entirely. And yes, I was there the night the War for the Crown began. Luckily, it ended well." She makes small talk with the minotaur but doesn't seem to be much moved by her words.
***
Alyce Quinley quickly catches on that Wispil is only pretending to be interested in politics. A look of disgust crosses her face. She excuses herself from the conversation and sets out to avoid the talking goose.
Having been snubbed by Alyce, Higgins decides to take it out on Khasprickle.
"Look, bucko, I've heard that you have spiteful intentions at this gala. You better keep out of trouble, we're watching you."
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After meandering around the feast some more and mingling Gentle Storm notices Alyce storm away from Wispil. He frowns at his companion unsure what the goose did to offend her so and making a mental note to speak later. For the time being he excused himself from present company and followed after Alyce. Along his way he preened and plucked a not loose feather from his own mane to present to her.
"Alyce, I see you've met the frightful drake that's been joined with the guard. Don't worry if he causes too much trouble I'll pluck the rest of him." He chuckles at his little joke and waves about the feather that definitely doesn't belong to a goose let alone Wispil.
"Ah but I pray you don't pay him too much mind, I have a feeling he is still acclimating to his new lot in life. He may look and waddle like a watery fowl and share the temperment, but a goose he isn't yet and it shows in earnest dishonesty."
Hoping that worked to lighten the mood he asks, "Have you enjoyed the gala so far? No issues with luck? Playful sprite, pixie, or Faerie dragon aside?"
Alessandria trots forward to treat with the enticing Alacreon, extending a full wineskin to him with a twinkle in her eyes.
"Ho, Alacreon, have no fear that drought will afflict you this evening. One born to the woods and tested in fire knows well to be prepared. Come, tell me tales of your cunning and charms."
Kilitsi continues her conversation with Tanasha, making small talk as she tries to learn more about the Taldan.
Khasprickle scoffs at Wispil's threats. "Oh, yeah, I'm so scared! Buzz off, bird, before I yank your feathers out, one by one!" he shrieks.
***
Alyce gives Gentle Storm a rueful smile. "Thanks. I hope you'll keep an eye on that one. Goose or not, I don't trust people who act disingenuously.
"Aside from that, the gala has been enjoyable so far. The usual playful pranks are to be expected, of course."
***
Alacreon coos at the gift of wine Alessandria offers him. "Oh, fine spirits! You do know the way to my heart, darling," he drawls, eagerly drinking of the draught. He proceeds to regale the centaur with likely exaggerated tales of his exploits, peppering his story with bawdy jokes and flirtatious asides.
***
Tanasha engages with more small talk with Kilitsi, but it doesn't amount to much.
***
As the feast winds down, most of the attendees disperse to get some sleep. The notable exception is Alacreon, who calls out to the crowd. "Let's keep this party going, shall we? To the bonfire, my companions! Are you all coming?" he asks you, specifically giving Gentle Storm and Alessandria pointed looks as he raises his eyebrow enticingly.
Success: You awaken the following day well-rested, despite sleeping only a few hours.
Failure: You are fatigued the next day, but you can remove this condition by spending a social round napping.
Critical Failure: You are fatigued the following day.
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Gentle Storm gave Alyce a reassuring pat on the shoulder, "I'll do my beset to keep him on the straight and narrow, well at least more truthful about his ways. Tomorrow will bring with it new opportunities. Rest well tonight Alyce and we shall see what tomorrow brings."
When Alacreon announces the afterparty Gentle Storm sweeps up another drink and saunters over to the slowly gathering group.
"I said if I could get free of course I'd join you in more activities."
During the extra festivities Gentle Storm shows the benefit of taking a relaxing day and saving your strength for the actual revelries. With food and drink aplenty he shows off the endurance of the Wildwood's druid circles able to keep up with the rowdiest of Satyr's and fey-beings around the bonfire. Good natured laughs fill the air when he's about performing his strange tree-speech dances as part of his musical enjoyment.
Higgins sits out the afterparty and goes back to his quarters to roost.
"Like, whatever," Kilitsi mutters, but decides more partying can be fun. As long as it's not in any nearby valleys.
"Like, the valley's the worst part of the area," she says, chatting with people as they party, though she doesn't drink or cavort too much. Even so, she doesn't feel wonderful the next day.
"Pfah. Is your heart all I'm finding?" Alessandria jests right back with a challenging stare. "I'll brave the deepest weald, and most tangled thicket with little caution, and never fear, but oft do I seek to do so for a greater prize than mere courtesies."
"nnnnggghghhhggg what was in that wine?!"
Alacreon's afterparty is the definition of hedonism. The Laughing Prince delights in novel carnal experiences, from strange foods to romantic flings. But as Alessandria presses him for something deeper, he opens up a bit, revealing a strong devotion to protecting the Wildwood. Still, he flirts shamelessly with each of you, though he ceases if his advances are clearly unreciprocated.
Alessandria and Kilitsi find it difficult to keep up with Alacreon, but Gentle Storm more than holds his own. As the night wears on, the Laughing Prince beseeches the catfolk to join him for a more... intimate encounter.
Whether or not Gentle Storm agrees, Alacreon grants him a gift by evening's end: a jug of fond remembrance.
***
As morning dawns, you can make you daily preparations before partaking of a simple breakfast of berries, fish, and freshly harvested bird eggs in a common area just south of the Wildwood pavilion tents. All around, the gala-goers are beginning to awaken as well and prepare for another day of merriment...
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Gentle Storm dances and drinks the night away, and shares the evening with Alacreon, bidding him fairwell in the morning and good luck in the coming activities and talks. He even tells of the various lands he's visited, like the forest of Garund, the deserts of Osirian and Thuvia, and even the expansive tundras of the north. Accepting the prince's gift he speaks of it being a great revel that they should all do again before the end of the gala.
Gentle Storm finds a nice patch of the forest where he can suffuse the land without disrupting too much of the local flora. Placing a hand on the ground he whispers to the earth and causes an oddity within these woods to appear a small patch of thorny cacti. He greets the newly sprang plantlife and converses with it for a time. But soon he ushers more of his own energy into the plant causing it to sprout lovely flowering buds which he compliments, gently plucking a few with the plants permission batching them into two sets. Finally he springs the plant into it's final stage of life causing the remaining flowers to bloom and produce bountiful ripe fruits. Again he plucks these after giving more assurances to the plant promising that it's energy will return to the people and it's seeds shall be carried to warmer sands where they might bloom without his aid. Beckoning the plant to the end of it's lifecycle he cuts it from the ground.
Sheering the needles and harvesting the juciy flesh into a basket with the flowers and fruit he revels in the natural cycle albiet this case isn't quite natural. Thanking the cacti one last time for it's bounty, and the Earth for providing the nutrients for the act he buries the second half of flowers along with two of the larger fruit to return some back to the land.
Then he hoists the basket laden with cacti flesh, prickly pears, and vibrant flowers and makes his way to the breakfast with a hop in his step at the new day.
"Greetings everyone, I have brought nature's bounty to help those of you who may be suffering from last night's festivities."
Kilitsi yawns, preferring not to stir in the morning. Surely the gala will be fine without her for a bit. What could go wrong?
Higgins is up bright and early, loudly brewing coffee and banging pots and pans as he makes breakfast. "Good morning, everyone? How was the party?"
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Looking at Higgins and recalling his misstep the night before Gentle Storm approaches and towers over the small water fowl. "Fine this morning Higgins, however if I may."
He leaned down a noticeable growl rolling in his voice, "If you do not want to see yourself in that pan as breakfast, do not lie to the dignitaries. The point of the gala is to sow togetherness and comradery, not chaos that will only lead to suffering of all." Shaking his head like a disappointed parent he begins to retract to his full height.
Putting back on the welcoming cheery appearance he continued. "Now, if you really wish to greet everyone with a good morning. You should join in making a delicious edible breakfast for the body and mind. Not loud noises of annoyance, that'll put everyone in a bad mood towards you." He looked to Kilitsi and Alessandria, "Especially those who may have had a bit too much fun."
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"Lie?! Create chaos? I would never," Higgins responses, innocently. "Here, open your paws."
A twirl of leaves rise up around Gentle Storm and an apple appears in the druid's hands.
"That should hold you over."
The goose resumes making breakfast for everyone, though noticeably more quietly.
As you eat your breakfast, you spot Alyce Quinley, Tanasha Starborne, and the Swiftmane sisters out and about. Khasprickle is off-site stirring up trouble, and Alacreon is still sleeping off the previous night’s carousing.
Higgins avoids making eye contact with Alyce and scuttles over to Tanasha.
"How are things in Wispil these days? You know, I cut quite a figure that at one point!" the bird brags. "Why have you ever heard about my showdown with the Duskberry Brothers? Well, it was a stormy night..."
Higgins launches into an amusing tale of one of the exploits that (he says) earned him his nickname.
Kilitsi eventually wakes up -- well after breakfast -- and joins the party, finding herself next to Alyce.
"What did you do last night? That party was, like, wild," she says with a yawn. Despite being tired, she somehow finds a connection with her.
Alessandria allows herself an easy morning of recovery, water, and greasy, salty foods. She tries to listen in on Tanasha's conversations to get a better sense of the Taldan senator's priorities, but it's clear that her heart simply isn't in it.
Tanasha listens politely to Wispil's story, but by the way her eyes glaze over and her smile seems frozen on her face, it's clear that the goose isn't making any headway. Neither are Gentle Storm or Alessandria as they try to figure out what makes the gnome tick.
Kilitsi, though, manages to forge a solid connection with Alyce. The Eagle Knight loosens up a bit as she chats with the bubbly minotaur, momentarily forgetting her troubles. She thanks the minotaur and gives her a sprig of primeval mistletoe as a gift, a traditional token of respect from her Greenfire upbringing.
"Like, oh my hero-gods, that's so nice of you!" Kilitsi exclaims, pinning the sprig of mistletoe onto her armor.
Higgins gamely continues to impress the gnome, "I hope you did have a good time. Did you see that badger dancing with the centaur from Kortos? Well, I heard that they..."
Higgins tries to amuse the ambassador with some saucy gossip.
"Yes, Tobinnalkin is in high spirits, thanks to your earlier help," Tanasha says to Gentle Storm. "I must say that I am enjoying the various performances being put on at the gala. I look forward to what today has to bring."
The gnome then listens to Wispil, the goose's spirited gossip session delighting the marquess. She warms up significantly to your group.
***
After breakfast, you begin patrolling the gala grounds. The stages are abuzz with activity. Among the exhibitors is a druid named Leto Deschamps, who proudly demonstrates his latest innovation before a row of clay pots. An audience of about 50 people watch with interest.
Hauling the last clay pot into place, the druid raises both arms triumphantly. "I know what you’re thinking. How exciting can it really be to watch flowers grow, right? Your perspective will change when I demonstrate my incredible new technique: by harnessing the innate primal energies surrounding us right now, I can induce these ordinary bulbs to full bloom in not days, not hours, not minutes, but seconds! Behold!"
With a flourish, he sprinkles a handful of soil over each pot. Within moments, a cluster of vivid blossoms bursts from each pot with an audible pop, dusting the entire area in a light coat of fine yellow pollen. The crowd’s muttering becomes enthusiastic applause.
Unfortunately, Leto's demonstration has an unintended side effect. On the neighboring exhibition stage, a gnome woman named Azalea is demonstrating her own technique, adapting the cantrip guidance to communicate with bees and stimulate honey production. The soft breeze wafts the magical pollen from Leto’s demonstration toward Azalea’s hives, driving her bees into a frenzy. The insects pour from the hives, swarming toward the intoxicating flowers and chasing off other creatures with a flurry of stings! The crowd begins to cry out in panic and trample each other in a desperate attempt to escape the stinging bees!
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Gentle storm watches things go from interesting to quickly bad at the sudden explosion of sweet sweet pollen. Glancing over to watch the swarm of bees approach, then he realizes they aren't approaching quite so nicely.
Then the stinging, screaming, flailing, slapping, and unbidden ruckus begins. He doesn't join in the panic'd frantic escape but serenely approached those on the edge of the group and began offering aid in the form of a quick acting ointment and smoke to temporarily ward off the frenzied bees.
"Look out!" Kilitsi yells out. "Like, bees?"
She thinks quickly, trying to remember what she knows about bees that might help her to disperse the swarms without killing all of them.
"Try to, like, get to water? Bees don't usually swim!" she urges the crowd, looking around for some water.
The air around Alessandria ignites, eyes glowing with excitement as she rears, nocking and loosing the fiery air around her to a bow that appears within her grasp. Not for a moment does she trouble herself with the bees' lives. If they can be pacified, it falls to others; if they can only be stilled, she stands ready.
As Gentle Storm and Kilitsi help the crowd escape, Alessandria unleashes blasts of fire, almost completely incinerating all the bees in one of the swarms! The bees quickly orient on the threat, buzzing across the distance to get to the centaur and sting her!
Amber sap trickles down Alessandria's frame as the bees bite home. She tosses her head and rears, fire billowing out into the onrushing insects before quickly igniting it again as a long-hafted battleaxe that she spins and sweeps through the pests.
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Gentle Storm had been quite at peace with simply treating and calming the people as bees needed to eat too and they were already likely agitated from the magic and excessive pollen. So really this was not their fault.
Then he saw Alessandria reveling in her destructive burning of the swarms, dozens of dozens of innocents perishing by the second and his heart sank. Distracting him from his task of helping the injured.
"Balance Alessandria there must be balance!" He cries desperately over the din of the crowd and buzzing of harried bees.
Higgins squawks and flaps his wings, causing a cloud of leafs and water to rise around him. A few branches tumble toward the bees.
"Ack, you're covered in bees, Alessandria!"
The goose flaps and a wave of water washes over the swarm.
for
(Reflex DC 21)
Pulling out her axe, Kilitsi rushes over to Alessandria to help with the swarm! Instead of slicing, though, she turns the haft so the wide edges of the blade sweep through the cloud of bees, hoping to disperse them!
Between burning blasts and sweeping axes, you disperse the swarming bees. Fortunately, your swift efforts prevented anyboy in the crowd from becoming serious injured.
After the swarms and the mob have been dealt with, a grateful Azalea offers you two doses of lesser vermin repellent agent as a reward. Leto offers you 19 gp and his last three unsprouted primal pollen bulbs, acknowledging that while you probably don’t have much use for them, he’d rather not risk anyone else getting ahold of one.
PRIMAL POLLEN ITEM 5
CONSUMABLE INHALED MAGICAL POISON PRIMAL
Price 25 gp
Usage held in 1 hand; Bulk L
Activate [one-action] (manipulate)
This magical flower immediately grows and blooms when planted, showering the area with intoxicating pollen. Insects take a –4 penalty on Fortitude saves to resist this poison.
Saving Throw DC 20; Maximum Duration 6 rounds; Stage 1 fascinated and slowed 1 (1 round); Stage 2 confused and slowed 1 (1 round); Stage 3 confused (1 round); Stage 4 unconscious
Once the chaos has subsided, Tanasha Starborne comes over to you with a smile. "Very nicely handled, friends. The councilors picked the right people for the job they assigned you. Here, take this. Perhaps you can use it to find more entertaining conversationalists in case anyone else at the gala bores you!" The gnome offers you a wand of speak with animals.
With the bee situation under control, Higgins decides to take another stab at influencing the prickly Khasorickle.
"Well, what a mess. I'm sure such thing's wouldn't happen if someone like you were in charge of this gala," the goose disingenuously suggests.
"Like, wow, that's great," Kilitsi says, accepting the various gifts. "The gala's, like, always so exciting."
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Having the mind to finish his task of aiding the gala guests who are injured before going to help calm and offer succor to the fallen, injured, and mourning bees. Gentle storm does what he can to gather up their fallen remains and spread them near the bee's hives along with a handful of local seedlings to help give back to the hive.
"I know it wasn't your intent to harm anyone, but still you've paid the price in droves. I hope they will remember that extremes of both sides will only make the situation worse. Rest easy little friends, for there is much to do later. But for today you may hopefully find peace in your ever present duty."
He then returbs to the group towards the end of the celebration for their victory against, the bees. If one could consider dealing with an honest accident at the cost of dozens of tiny lives as a voctory.
Never the less he ruffles himself up puts back on his demeanour and approaches. "I have finished giving back to the forest, in time hopefully the busy bees won't have to travel or work quite so hard to find their food."
Though merciless in her initial response, Alessandria does help Gentle Storm return the bees' bodies to their hive. "Vicious madness too often has few cures, but that does not mean they or their kin wish us true ill."
Flyting, a fast-paced contest of rhyming insults, features two elements fey adore: wordplay and humiliation. Every year, the gala holds a flyting contest free-for-all, in which contestants try to earn crowd favor for themselves while encouraging the crowd to laugh their opponents out of the competition. Early on the second day, the gala is abuzz with rumors of the contest happening that afternoon, open to all comers.
This event is hosted by celebrity guest Delgindergrim, a popular Wispillian entertainer who launched his career by winning the contest decades ago. He’s gradually become bored with the same old insults and is slowly gaining white hairs thanks to the Bleaching. Perhaps you've got what it takes to brighten his day?
There’s no limit to how often a contestant can be targeted, with one exception: a contestant must pick someone new to target with their mockery, so they can’t immediately target the person who just mocked them. This means contestants can gang up on a foe, but doing so gives the foe more opportunities to belittle them back!
Scoring: Each contestant starts the competition with 3 points, representing how much the crowd respects them. These serve as Hit Points, and a contestant reduced to 0 points is belittled to the point of conceding and fleeing the stage. Successfully mocking or defending in the competition can earn the contestant points or even steal points from their opponent.
STUDY
AUDITORY CONCENTRATE SECRET VISUAL
Trigger Your turn to Wildwood Flyte begins.
You examine a contestant’s mannerisms and recall trivia about them to identify their weaknesses. Attempt a DC 20 Perception check or relevant check to Recall Knowledge about the target.
Critical Success: As success, but the circumstance bonus increases to +3.
Success: You identify one of the target’s weaknesses. The first time you incorporate that weakness into your Wildwood Flyte against the target, you gain a +2 circumstance bonus to the accompanying skill check.
Failure: No effect.
Critical Failure: You mistakenly identify something about the target. Using this fake weakness against the target imposes a –2 penalty to your check to Wildwood Flyte.
WILDWOOD FLYTE
AUDITORY CONCENTRATE LINGUISTIC
You spontaneously compose and deliver a string of rhyming verse to ridicule a contestant. Attempt a Deception, Intimidation, or Performance check against the target’s DC associated with that skill. Because the audience gets bored easily, you take a –2 penalty to this check if you used this skill for your most recent Wildwood Flyte attempt.
Critical Success: You verbally eviscerate your target and delight the audience. You gain 1 point. Your target loses 2 points and is stupefied 1 until they gain at least 1 point.
Success: Your verbal takedown works well, earning widespread approval. You gain 1 point, and your target loses 1 point.
Failure: Though coherent, your mockery has no effect.
Critical Failure: Your flyting is so clumsy that you lose 1 point.
COUNTER-QUIP
AUDITORY CONCENTRATE EXPLORATION LINGUISTIC
Trigger A contestant attempts a skill check when targeting you with a Wildwood Flyte.
You deliver a snappy, witty rebuttal that deflects your opponent’s mockery. Attempt a Deception, Intimidation, or Performance check; the DC equals 10 + the opponent’s modifier for the skill they used for the Wildwood Flyte.
Critical Success: Your rebuttal is cleverer than the attack! Negate the Wildwood Flyte result, and your opponent loses 1 point.
Success: Your witty response reduces the number of points you lose by 1 (minimum 0).
Failure: No effect.
Critical Failure: Your clumsy comeback only exacerbates the mockery, and you lose 1 additional point.
Heckling: PCs who choose not to participate in the flyting contest (or those who have been eliminated already) can assist their allies from the sidelines. Once per contestant’s turn, a bystander can either Aid the current contestant’s Study check by shouting recommendations, Aid the current contestant’s Wildwood Flyte check with suitable cheering and jeering, or Aid the target’s Counter-Quip in a similar way.
"Ah, nothing like a good flyting!" Higgins exclaims eagerly. "Who's up for it, folks?"
"I lack your effortless ease at annoyance, but never will I retreat simply for being outmatched."