Onizos strikes a thespian pose and recites a small poem in a flowery tongue (Sylvan)

[spoiler]

In the forest, wild and free,

Lives a fey, as light as air,

Dancing through the branches, glee,

Leaves her footprints everywhere.

[/spoiler]

Gan looks at the others as they speak in different languages.

"Oh, la-de-da, your lords and other lords," Gan says. "Looks at you all showing off with the edufication and the speaking good and stuff."

He dismisses the group with a wave of his hand.

"Karshoj, aithyas, vhir ternsesj, tiamash" Gan then mutters under his breath as he follows along.

Gan, you notice a stifled chuckle from Galsariad as you curse. He and Ayo lead you all through Jigow towards the paddocks which formerly held the young horizonback tortoises. Gan and Igreis, as you navigate the streets you notice that Ayo knows them well and while Galsariad maintains an elegant stride, he's obviously following her lead.

The paddock has been cleared out and a large stage installed in the center with a crowd gathering around it. Various merchants are patrolling the crowd pedaling various good while others have even set up sections with tables and seating. 

Around one such table you find the rest of Ayo's crew. The faces are familiar to you already. Maggie Keeneyes, the amiable ogre, stands as you approach and (re)introduces the others: a scruffy looking human named Irvan Wastewalker, and a nervous goblin named Dermot Wurder. 

They pull up a second table and invite you to drink with them while waiting for the presentation to start

"So, how did you come to be adventuring together?" Dermot opens

"Stinking Dwend's stole our 'agic go'lin, so sent us to get her 'ack. Had a few others on that one, then 'et these two on the road."

Gan looks over at Yabo.

"That's what we was doing?" Gan says. "I thought you guys was just lost. That makes a lot more sense now."

Gan then nods at the goblin.

"So, Dermot, you guys do rescuizing too, or just play these games," Gan asks, looking to know how this group knows each other.

Onizos interjects, 

"Allow me to set the scene! Swamps, giant turtle towns, an ogre lord, a kidnapped advisor, and us, a motley yet mighty hodgepodge of heroes..."

If allowed, Onizos will go on at length about their adventures, being sure to point out the Bog's Bane embroidered on his cloak and leather armor.

Igreis shakes his head at what the human says and steps away from Beatrix as he mutters something in a dialect of elvish that is typically only spoken amongst the drow. "I have only been with them for a short time. It just happened that we were traveling in the same direction for a time."

Dermot listens to your tales nervously, "The only rescuing Ayo and I have done is a wounded moorbounder we came across in the woods" Ayo elbows him . "But our latest recruits have a bit more experience. Maggie here has done some mercenary work"

"Not a pleasant profession. Everyone treats you like furniture with muscles" Maggie chimes in.

Irvan chuckles an then quaffs the remainder of his drink and turns to Baetrix, "Don't see many other humans this far north. I'm guessing you're not a Dwendalian spy... How'd you end up in Jigow?" 

Igries listens to the tales of the other group, growing curious as the human questions Beatrix about her own reason for being in Krynn territory when she obvious holds disdain for the dynasty.

Onizos, too, will ask Dermot, “What is a moorbounder? Some ferocious beast, no doubt, probably took much courage and skill to rescue it? I sense a dramatic tale!”

Baetrix takes a step away from Igreis nearly at the same time as the drow does from her. Despite their short time together, neither seem comfortable with the association... not yet. 

"Curiostiy, Master Irvan. I am from the-... the South. There is plenty of travel among my people, but they do not often range too far from their lands. We have not always been on friendly terms with the Krynn, nor they with us, but I wanted to see why our neighbor was so... persistent. I expected to find absolute tyranny here, but this is just a place, like any other."

Baetrix seems almost irritated by that fact.

"The shelters are different, the manners are different, but there are no hanging skeletons from trees nor half-starved folk. I expect the real heart of darkness lies nearer to the throne, like in children's stories."

She stops talking and looks embarrassed. She casts a glance at Igreis but quickly looks away and mutters something about finding a place to cook the shark. 

Perception: 6 (nice)

Most Xhorhasian residents would be familiar with moorbounders, they are a powerful panther like creature which lives in the swamps. In the wild they are aggressive, dangerous, and best avoided, but many have gone through the treacherous process of capturing and bonding with a moorbounder to serve as mounts and companions

 Dermot shares the story: "We were exploring the woods outside of Jigow when we heard something making a dreadful noise. Following the sound we came upon a juvenile moorbounder who's leg was broken in a rockfall. I, with the blessing of the Luxon", he clutches a dodecahedral amulet on his chest "was able to heal the poor thing. All the while, Ayo kept it's mother at bay, no small feat"

You would also be familiar with The Luxon. It is the official deity of the Kryn Dynasty. This mysterious divine entity of light and rebirth has granted its faithful several esoteric secrets, the greatest of which is consecution—the act of preparing one’s soul for rebirth.

Baetrix, Irvan takes in your story, nodding between frequent gulps of ale. "Ya know, your stories not to different from mine. Let me tell ya, it may not be like your children's tales, but if you go lookin' for evil and danger you'll find it."

"Perhaps the same can be said of any place", muses Galsariad

There are various cookfires set up around the crowd. Those already huddled around them look at you quizzically when you produce the shark meat, but don't object. 

((Everyone can take a short rest as you eat and drink with the others, waiting for the event to start)) 

Illustration of Ayo's Party:

Onizos declares to Dermot,

“Your inspiring tale would make a fantastic theatrical production. Perhaps if we have more time together in this place we could work on that. I’ll have to make some minor plot adjustments to flesh things out, of course. Designing the costume for the moorbounder should be great fun…” he rambles on excitedly.

Gan keeps an eye on the festival goers as they pass by, making sure that no one is paying too much attention to the two groups of adventurers.

If he can get a hold of some of the shark and use the fire to cook it, he will.

"So when's this final thingamajig start?" 

Onizos sits at a fire munching on shark meat, gazing into the flames and privately contemplating his hopes that Dermot & Co will still want to be friends and fabricate a play together after Onizos’s team absolutely mauls them in the final challenge.

Yabo happily joins Oni for a shark snack.

The energy of the crowd heightens as you see heads turn towards a hut on the edge of the paddock. A group emerges from the hut door led by an old orc dressed in deep blue robes. Behind him are the organizers of the various competitions, Adan the tortoise shepherd, Agathe the pie baker and the others.

"That's Elder Ushru in front" says Dermot.

The orc steps up on to a stage in the center of the space. He collects himself for a moment then raises his hands to quite the crowd. “Mighty warriors, brilliant strategists, you have impressed us with your feats of strength, your incisive wit, and your sturdy bellies,” he booms proudly. “But the main event, as you know, is yet to come. Only two teams will be chosen to compete in the final challenge—a race through the Emerald Grotto, in the depths of which the greatest prize awaits!”

"After discussing with the other elders and organizers, we have chosen our champions. We make this choice based not just on wins, but also tenacity and flair. Our first team features some familiar Jigow faces" He pauses a moment for suspense before gesturing in your direction, "Ayo Jabe, bring your team up to the stage!"

"Yes!" Ayo shouts as he jumps out of her seat. The crowd turns and cheers as she gathers her team and joins Elder Ushru on the stage.

"I see we don't have to look much further for our second team", he goes on "They are all out of towners, but I have it on good authority that they've recently gained some acclaim down in Urzin", He points to your group. Everyone turns again towards you.

"I'm sorry I don't know all of your names, except apparently... 'Bogs Bane'?" he says tilting his head. The crowd starts to cheer you up to the stage