You all make your way through the line and get your tickets punched. One goblin takes tickets one at a time and punches them, the other shouts out to the fairgoers, "If you would like to participate in a race, please follow the line and get your tickets punched. Afterwards you will be brought to a snail and helped up to the saddle. If you're not participating, please head to the stands if you would like to watch and cheer on your favorite rider."
One by one, you get your tickets punched and are brought to your snails.
(Please roll a d8 if you are participating in the race.)
Chasestands with her mouth agape at the goblin's shout. "WAIT. We're going to be the ones racing!? I thought we were only here to bet! Oh... my... god..." The tabaxi looks like she’s about to explode with emotion.
As you all are being brought to your snails, you see a large wall of names and numbers written in all different colors. As the snails are placed at the starting line for the next race, the wall of names reorders itself to reflect to order of the snails. You realize that this board is meant for tracking the order of the snails during the race.
Lexis brought to snail #7, wearing a belt with red flags attached. Looking at the board you see that snail #7 is called Breakneck!
Chaseis brought to snail #5, wearing a belt with yellow flags attached. Looking at the board you see that snail #5 is called Flowerflash!
Illuwenis brought to snail #1, wearing a belt with pink flags attached. Looking at the board you see that snail #1 is called Shellymoo!
Scratch is brought to snail #8, wearing a belt with black flags attached. Looking at the board you see that snail #8 is called Queen's Majesty!
The other snails are #2 Nimblefoot, #3 High Road, #4 Quickleaf, and #6 Whizzy.
After all of the snails have been assigned, the goblin that was shouting instructions to the incoming fairgoers makes his way to the center of the racetrack where he takes his place in the center of the circular stage there. He picks up a very large funnel, compared to his size, and uses it to hype up the riders and the crowd.
He lists off the snails and their riders, then gestures to the other goblin who is now making his way through the stands wearing a sandwich board with racing odds listed on it. He explains that the goblin is currently taking bets on the race. Signs posted in the stands and along the racetrack warn that neither jockeys nor spectators may influence the outcome of a race by using magic or by harming other jockeys or snails. Any jockey who openly does so is disqualified, as is the jockey’s snail.
He explains that the race will be one lap around the massive track. "Now, is everyone ready!?" he shouts to the crowd. They let out an ear busting cheer. "Riders ready!?" he shouts at the 8 participants in the race. Those around you begin to raise their hands in the air.
(Race Rules: The race is divided into 6-second rounds. Once the race begins, the snails move along the track at remarkable speed, each one covering 80 feet per round [≈9mph; ≈14.5km/h] by itself. Without riders, the snails are an even match, but a jockey can try to improve a snail’s performance by patting its shell or speaking words of encouragement at it. Initiative rolls are unnecessary. Once per round, each jockey can make a Wisdom (Animal Handling) check. On a successful check, the jockey’s snail moves an extra 10 feet that round, or 20 feet if the check succeeds by 5 or more. On a failed check, the jockey’s snail moves 10 feet slower that round, or 20 feet slower if the check fails by 5 or more. The race ends when one or more snails travel the 480 feet needed to cross the finish line.)
If Chasewas excited after learning that she could ride her own snail, she becomes even more so when her mount is presented. As the goblins finish preparing the snails, she happily assists the one working on Flowerflash, helping clean him and rubbing his massive shell.
The tabaxi needs a little help mounting the giant creature, but once she is atop it, she spends a few moments testing the saddle, bridle, and stirrups. When she feels comfortable enough, she winks at her brother and friends, saying, "May the best snail win!" She then gives Flowerflash a couple of gentle taps, encouraging him, "Come on, big boy. Let’s see that flash of petals—go, go, go!"
A good round of Wind In Our Sails always gets the crowd in motion, Illuwenthinks. Perhaps it could do the same for snails? As the race starts he leans forward in his saddle and begins singing to Shellymoo.
"Hold fast! Tides are turning Flames roar, fires are burning We'll all be returning, With wind in our sails once more!"
Lex mouth pulls into a soft smile as he stands by the head of the giant snail, and he whispers to it, trying his best to form the words as he had been taught. He swung up into the saddle, his diminutive gnomish form an amusing contrast atop the snails massive shell. He leans into the stirrups, waiting for the race to start, and when it does, he calls out to the creature, urging it on.
Scratch pats his snail's shell, thinking about its name and nodding. "Pleased to meet you," he says to Queen's Majesty. "I hope we'll be able to have a good race." He climbs to the top and gets ready to race.
"LETS GET READY TO RUMBLE!!" shouts the goblin. He then exits the stage and heads to the starting line with a green flag in his hands. When he makes it to the center of the starting line with one row of giant snails on either side of him, he raises the flag high in the air waving it from side to side as he counts down. "3... 2... 1..." As the goblin shouts "GO!!" fireworks explode overhead signaling the start of the race.
The goblin quickly makes his way back to center stage as soon as it's safe to cross. He begins commenting on the race as it is happening.
Shellymoobreaks fast and immediately pulls away from the line traveling an amazing 100 feet in the first 6 seconds!!
Nimblefootis stunned for a moment as the speed from his right shocks them. They still manage to make it 80 feet this round!
Highroadtakes a moment too long looking at the fireworks, but they snap their attention back to make it 70 feet this round.
Quickleafseems to be in their own world as the rider tries to goad them into moving. Finally, they take off and manages 60 feet this round.
Flowerflashwastes no time and keeps pace with the leaders, making it 80 feet this round!
Whizzy, hot on their heels manages 80 feet this round!
Breakneckhas a bit of a slow start, but still manages 70 feet this round!
Queen's Majesty seems a little too confident as they initially miss the sign to start. They still manage to make 70 feet this round!
"Looks like we've got a close one so far, but that could all change at the drop of a hat!!"
Chaseis having the time of her life! Flowerflashis quick—maybe not the fastest, but definitely among the frontrunners. For a brief moment, the tabaxi closes her mismatched eyes, simply savoring the rush of wind as the snail races forward. But when she opens them again, her excitement turns to dismay—Flowerflash has veered off course, sliding sideways instead of charging straight ahead!
Illuwen holds onto the reins as Shellymoopulls into the lead. She's doing well, so he decides to let her go at her own pace.
(OOC: I'm assuming the Animal Handling check is optional and the snails just travel at the normal rate without it? If I need to make one, let me know.)
(Continue making animal handling checks for each round until someone crosses the finish line. Map will be updated with current positions on the track. Sorry, didn't realize that I still had you guys on the carnival map.)
Lex watches as the other snails slide their way into an early lead, with Breakneck falling into the back of the pack, shell bumping into others around him, staying just ahead of the distracted Quickleaf. He leans forward and rubs the snails neck, shouting encouragingly at it to keep it moving. For a second he’s able to form the words correctly, and the snail seemingly feels his encouragement and surges forward.
Scratch narrows his eyes as the start is given, and Queen's Majesty does nothing. He's about to say something when his snail launches forward, and he has to grip the reins hard to keep from getting thrown off the back. Finally settling into the speed, the tabaxi opens his mouth in a wide smile, loving the feel of the wind in his fur. "Go, go, go!" he laughs.
You all make your way through the line and get your tickets punched. One goblin takes tickets one at a time and punches them, the other shouts out to the fairgoers, "If you would like to participate in a race, please follow the line and get your tickets punched. Afterwards you will be brought to a snail and helped up to the saddle. If you're not participating, please head to the stands if you would like to watch and cheer on your favorite rider."
One by one, you get your tickets punched and are brought to your snails.
(Please roll a d8 if you are participating in the race.)
Lex: 7
Chase stands with her mouth agape at the goblin's shout. "WAIT. We're going to be the ones racing!? I thought we were only here to bet! Oh... my... god..." The tabaxi looks like she’s about to explode with emotion.
(d8 roll: 5)
Diving deep to the surface ♫ Nessa | Saxa | Auriel | Chase | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
d8: 2
d8: 7
(@DirtyDogP please reroll. Should have probably let you know to reroll if you got the same number as someone else.)
New d8: 8
As you all are being brought to your snails, you see a large wall of names and numbers written in all different colors. As the snails are placed at the starting line for the next race, the wall of names reorders itself to reflect to order of the snails. You realize that this board is meant for tracking the order of the snails during the race.
Lex is brought to snail #7, wearing a belt with red flags attached. Looking at the board you see that snail #7 is called Breakneck!
Chase is brought to snail #5, wearing a belt with yellow flags attached. Looking at the board you see that snail #5 is called Flowerflash!
Illuwen is brought to snail #1, wearing a belt with pink flags attached. Looking at the board you see that snail #1 is called Shellymoo!
Scratch is brought to snail #8, wearing a belt with black flags attached. Looking at the board you see that snail #8 is called Queen's Majesty!
The other snails are #2 Nimblefoot, #3 High Road, #4 Quickleaf, and #6 Whizzy.
After all of the snails have been assigned, the goblin that was shouting instructions to the incoming fairgoers makes his way to the center of the racetrack where he takes his place in the center of the circular stage there. He picks up a very large funnel, compared to his size, and uses it to hype up the riders and the crowd.
He lists off the snails and their riders, then gestures to the other goblin who is now making his way through the stands wearing a sandwich board with racing odds listed on it. He explains that the goblin is currently taking bets on the race. Signs posted in the stands and along the racetrack warn that neither jockeys nor spectators may influence the outcome of a race by using magic or by harming other jockeys or snails. Any jockey who openly does so is disqualified, as is the jockey’s snail.
He explains that the race will be one lap around the massive track. "Now, is everyone ready!?" he shouts to the crowd. They let out an ear busting cheer. "Riders ready!?" he shouts at the 8 participants in the race. Those around you begin to raise their hands in the air.
(Race Rules: The race is divided into 6-second rounds. Once the race begins, the snails move along the track at remarkable speed, each one covering 80 feet per round [≈9mph; ≈14.5km/h] by itself. Without riders, the snails are an even match, but a jockey can try to improve a snail’s performance by patting its shell or speaking words of encouragement at it. Initiative rolls are unnecessary. Once per round, each jockey can make a Wisdom (Animal Handling) check. On a successful check, the jockey’s snail moves an extra 10 feet that round, or 20 feet if the check succeeds by 5 or more. On a failed check, the jockey’s snail moves 10 feet slower that round, or 20 feet slower if the check fails by 5 or more. The race ends when one or more snails travel the 480 feet needed to cross the finish line.)
If Chase was excited after learning that she could ride her own snail, she becomes even more so when her mount is presented. As the goblins finish preparing the snails, she happily assists the one working on Flowerflash, helping clean him and rubbing his massive shell.
The tabaxi needs a little help mounting the giant creature, but once she is atop it, she spends a few moments testing the saddle, bridle, and stirrups. When she feels comfortable enough, she winks at her brother and friends, saying, "May the best snail win!" She then gives Flowerflash a couple of gentle taps, encouraging him, "Come on, big boy. Let’s see that flash of petals—go, go, go!"
(Animal Handling: 16)
Diving deep to the surface ♫ Nessa | Saxa | Auriel | Chase | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
A good round of Wind In Our Sails always gets the crowd in motion, Illuwen thinks. Perhaps it could do the same for snails? As the race starts he leans forward in his saddle and begins singing to Shellymoo.
"Hold fast! Tides are turning
Flames roar, fires are burning
We'll all be returning,
With wind in our sails once more!"
(Animal handling: 20)
Lex mouth pulls into a soft smile as he stands by the head of the giant snail, and he whispers to it, trying his best to form the words as he had been taught. He swung up into the saddle, his diminutive gnomish form an amusing contrast atop the snails massive shell. He leans into the stirrups, waiting for the race to start, and when it does, he calls out to the creature, urging it on.
(Animal Handling: 10)
Scratch pats his snail's shell, thinking about its name and nodding. "Pleased to meet you," he says to Queen's Majesty. "I hope we'll be able to have a good race." He climbs to the top and gets ready to race.
Animal handling: 10
"LETS GET READY TO RUMBLE!!" shouts the goblin. He then exits the stage and heads to the starting line with a green flag in his hands. When he makes it to the center of the starting line with one row of giant snails on either side of him, he raises the flag high in the air waving it from side to side as he counts down. "3... 2... 1..." As the goblin shouts "GO!!" fireworks explode overhead signaling the start of the race.
The goblin quickly makes his way back to center stage as soon as it's safe to cross. He begins commenting on the race as it is happening.
Shellymoo breaks fast and immediately pulls away from the line traveling an amazing 100 feet in the first 6 seconds!!
Nimblefoot is stunned for a moment as the speed from his right shocks them. They still manage to make it 80 feet this round!
Highroad takes a moment too long looking at the fireworks, but they snap their attention back to make it 70 feet this round.
Quickleaf seems to be in their own world as the rider tries to goad them into moving. Finally, they take off and manages 60 feet this round.
Flowerflash wastes no time and keeps pace with the leaders, making it 80 feet this round!
Whizzy, hot on their heels manages 80 feet this round!
Breakneck has a bit of a slow start, but still manages 70 feet this round!
Queen's Majesty seems a little too confident as they initially miss the sign to start. They still manage to make 70 feet this round!
"Looks like we've got a close one so far, but that could all change at the drop of a hat!!"
(Animal Handling: 2)
Chase is having the time of her life! Flowerflash is quick—maybe not the fastest, but definitely among the frontrunners. For a brief moment, the tabaxi closes her mismatched eyes, simply savoring the rush of wind as the snail races forward. But when she opens them again, her excitement turns to dismay—Flowerflash has veered off course, sliding sideways instead of charging straight ahead!
Diving deep to the surface ♫ Nessa | Saxa | Auriel | Chase | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Illuwen holds onto the reins as Shellymoo pulls into the lead. She's doing well, so he decides to let her go at her own pace.
(OOC: I'm assuming the Animal Handling check is optional and the snails just travel at the normal rate without it? If I need to make one, let me know.)
(Continue making animal handling checks for each round until someone crosses the finish line. Map will be updated with current positions on the track. Sorry, didn't realize that I still had you guys on the carnival map.)
Animal handling: 12
(Animal Handling: 24)
Lex watches as the other snails slide their way into an early lead, with Breakneck falling into the back of the pack, shell bumping into others around him, staying just ahead of the distracted Quickleaf. He leans forward and rubs the snails neck, shouting encouragingly at it to keep it moving. For a second he’s able to form the words correctly, and the snail seemingly feels his encouragement and surges forward.
Scratch narrows his eyes as the start is given, and Queen's Majesty does nothing. He's about to say something when his snail launches forward, and he has to grip the reins hard to keep from getting thrown off the back. Finally settling into the speed, the tabaxi opens his mouth in a wide smile, loving the feel of the wind in his fur. "Go, go, go!" he laughs.
Animal handling: 13
Shellymoo finds their pace this round and manages another 80 feet!
Nimblefoot seems to get a bit winded and only manages 60 feet this round.
High Road is taking things a bit slower and only manages 70 feet this round.
Quickleaf catches some stray mud in an eye stalk and only manages 60 feet this round.
Flowerflash takes the outside of the turn and only makes it 60 feet this round.
Whizzy slows and watches for an opening only making it 70 feet this round.
Breakneck finds an opening and speeds forward making it 100 feet this round!
Queen's Majesty speeds up slightly making it 80 feet this round!
"Some of these riders are finding their groove and are becoming forces to be reckoned with!"
(Map updated)