Nexus clapped her hands together excitedly upon hearing Aldith mention her intention of taking part in the Maze and Riddle challenges. Both challenges that she had intended to try her hand in. "Oh! You're going to take part in the riddle challenge, too? To be frank, that was the one I was most looking forward to. Not so much on the maze, but it still sounds interesting."

A pause, glancing between each of the people currently there. "But, if we don't get a move on soon we'll run out of daylight before we finish them all. I think we should leave the ones that restrict how many can participate till the end." 

Shayone grins at Kalhala with her own sharp teeth. "And I'm Shayone. I'm interested in the maze too, and some of the feats of strength --" she looks enviously at Kalhala's more muscular form -- "though probably not to compete, I'm not as strong as I used to be." She looks to Nexus. "The festival is multiple days, yes? I have a friend to find here, and I don't want to miss all the fun if I spend the whole time looking for her."

Kalhala perks up at this, "Friend?  I grew up here and was part of the Watch, I know many of the folks in these parts, maybe I can help?  What's the name?"

Aldith couldn't help but crack a small smile at Nexus' enthusiasm. "Well, maybe both of us can take part in the challenge of riddles," she offers. "What should we do first?" 

The drow woman glances down at her own svelte form. She is wearing robes and leggings in dark gray and purple that complement her dusky skin and violet eyes. Her black, lace-up boots reach almost all the way to her knee and are made of soft, calfskin leather. "I don't think I'll be participating in any of the feats of strength," she admits. "That isn't really my area of expertise. My talents lay...elsewhere." 

"Maryl Bronzefang," Shayone responds. "She was part of the Aurora Watch in Bazzoxan when I knew her, about thirty years ago." It doesn't take a keen eye to spot that Shayone herself only appears to be in her mid-thirties. "She's getting on in years but is still in the Watch, last I heard, but was back here for the festival." Shayone smiles wider. "If she's anything like she used to be, she's probably making her way through the contestant at the pie-eating contest."

"Well, if I recall correctly, the riddles game isn't limited in who can take part, so should be fine if we both try it." She goes quiet for a moment, while the others converse and she just takes in the details that can be picked up from conversation. Notably the oddity of someone looking younger than what one might think they would, but she didn't pry on the subject. Everyone had their secrets, so long as it didn't put anyone in danger right? 

"Why don't we head to the pie eating contest first, then? If you're looking for a friend there, then that'd be an excellent place to start. Then maybe the maze and riddles to let those in the group that participate recover from stuffing themselves silly."

Kenar eye glaze over in thought and aloud mumbles quietly “Yessss piesssss” he begins walking down the street then stops abruptly turns back to the group ”I have no idea where I’m going where the pie eating contest?” 

The pie-eating contest is so near that you all can see the site from where you're standing. 

The savory scents of meat, pastry, and spices fill the air around a three-story building mounted on the back of a gigantic tortoise. A cooking stand and a festival stage with a long table are set up at the tortoise’s feet, where an orc stands over a massive oven. She bustles from the oven to the stage and back, placing delicious-looking hand pies at each seat and stacking more of them on a cooling rack nearby.

People are already gathered on stage, including a scrawny young human with a mop of brown hair and a scruffy beard. Shayone, you don't see any sign of Maryl. As you approach, the orc calls out in a melodic baritone, “Come to sample the best meat pies this side of the Wastes, yes? I sell ’em for meals up there, but I’m running pie-eating contests down here all day, if you’ve got an orc-sized stomach. Only 5 silver pieces to join in the latest bout!"

Kalhala frowns and scratches his head.  "Sorry mate, the name Maryl Bronzefang doesn't really ring a bell.  But I've never been to Bazzoxan."

Shayone looks disappointed, but only for a second. "Yes, that makes sense. I'm not sure how often she manages to get back here."

Seeing as Kenar had already started making their way toward the pies, Nexus gestured toward the rest of the group in a 'come on' motion. "Let's get going everyone! I'm sure if they told you they'd be in the area, we can find them eventually. Why not enjoy ourselves while we have the chance?"

Without further adieu, Nexus strolled along after Kenar, rummaging around in her coin pouch for a moment to procure a single gold piece---hopefully with some folk paying in silver, she could get her exact change. 

Kalhala rubs his hands together and licks his lips, "Oh yes, the pie eating contest.  I'm so ready for this." and he follows Nexus and Kenar towards the pie-selling orc. 

"I'm so ready for this"  He repeats as he pulls out 5 silver for the contest and tosses it on the counter, "yum!"

Kenar pays the the coin out “five silver for all you can eat pie sound like a plan! 

Mornin follows the group quietly, much more at ease now that he's not on his own. He does not make a move toward the pies at first, but then he approaches the orc, "Can have pie? No contest. How much?"

Aldith follows the others toward the pie-eating contest. Such a contest would not normally be something she would be interested in, but the others' enthusiasm is starting to rub off on her. She is about to join in but deflates when she hears the fee for joining. Having spent all her coin to support her mother and siblings, the drow is quite bereft unless she finds a job around Jigow to perform for coin. She doesn't mention any of this to the others however; merely stands a bit apart, intending to watch the competition take place.

Charging in he looks back at both Aldith and Mornin “Come on you know you want to join in don’t leave me to puke on my own” chuckling Kenar tosses down the coin for both of them to compete but if they really don’t want to it should at least pay or a pie for both of them. 

"Hello, dearies! Like I said, five silver to participate in this latest round!" The orc woman says. She takes five silver from Kenar and Kalhala, then gives five silver in change back to Nexus for her gold piece. "Take your seats, take your seats!"

As the three of them sit down at the long table set up on a raised platform for the contest, the orc woman looks to Mornin. "What was that...? Oh, you just want to buy a pie? Well, sure, if you just want one hand pie, that'll cost ya five copper pieces! You three sure you don't wanna participate?" She asks Mornin, Aldith, and Shayone. "You look a little peckish to me! My pies'll stuff you right up, or my name's not Agathe Silverspoon!" 

Kalhala, Nexus, and Kenar take their seats. There are three more contestants that have opted in: a handsome male drow flexing his muscles, pointing into the crowd of spectators, and winking at them; a female halfling with a still smirk on her face; and that scrawny human man with the scruffy beard. Nexus takes the seat directly next to him, and as she does, he looks at her and smiles with a nod. "Best of luck," He says to Nexus before shifting his focus back to the pile of hand pies in front of him.

(Last call for the pie-eating contests! Join now or forever hold your pies.)

23    (Insight on Aldith)

As everyone starts to decide whether or not they're participating, Nexus notices that Aldith seemed a bit uncomfortable. Perhaps she was uncomfortable around so many unfamiliar faces? 

Speaking of; Nexus attention turned toward the scrawny human at her side, taking in his features with a brief scan of her eyes, but not commenting on it. His wishing her luck was the main thing that caught her focus, politely responding in kind with; "And good luck to you, too. Don't push yourself too hard, eh?"

With that, she got quiet too. Mentally preparing herself for the no doubt eventual strain her stomach was going to feel from this overindulgence of food. 

"No. Thank you." Mornin pays for the pie and takes it. He eats, occasionally offering bits to Eve.