Froskan nods to Trim, "Yah, the sculptures are all on display in the square."

Jack nods. “Won 60 gold, and this.” He holds out a small replica of his Drums on a boat, made of bronze. “Nice, isn’t it?”

Quote from Guiltysparc >>

Isk claps his hand on Froskan's shoulder.  "It's ok, I didn't do well either.  I wanted to partake the parade and so I volunteered to help the local orphanage's float team.."

Before Theren departed the party, he mentioned spending some months helping out an orphanage in the plains southeast of Nunkreet, and that he hoped to continue sending funds there. The rest of the party is reminded of this when Isk mentions helping the local Greensville orphanage.

Reverie chuckles quietly, resting her chin on her hands as her elbows rest onto the table. "Please tell me I am not the only one who is missing Theren, our friend."

Trimyrai: (to the party) "I didn't know him that well, but it would have been nice if he stayed with us."

"He probably did," Reverie smiles and then looks at the bronze-made small drum on a boat. "Well, we always knew you are a great musician." Then she chuckles. "Were they screaming when they thought a Yeti was around?"

The party continues to talk about their contests, and listening to other groups boasting about their exploits, until the wee hours of the morning. (OOC: You are welcome to continue discussing this, but I figured I should advance the time line.)

You sleep in a bit on the morning of the 3rd of Winter Firstmoon. The snow outside has already melted a bit. The ground will stay snow-covered, but the clerics and druids in Nunkreet are no longer maintaining the cold weather. You head back to the tents, rides, and food carts south of the river.

By mid-afternoon, there are still crowds milling about, but the vendors are preparing to pack up. There will still be drinking and feasting after sundown, but the Snowfall Festival is definitely winding down.

------

The party passes by some tents that are already emptied, but haven't been taken down yet. You see a 30-ish lady, with auburn hair gesturing your group to get closer. She is dressed in the poor clothes of a farm peasant. You can see her clearly, but she is holding up a corner of her cloak to try to hide her features from other people that are passing by. She waves again to your group, and retreats towards a shabby wagon that is somewhat concealed by the tents. A small boy, maybe 5 years of age, peers out of the wagon at your group. From his hair color and facial features, he looks related to the woman.

The curiosity asks Reverie to go check on the woman and a small boy. She looks back at the companions before she moves her steps towards them. "Can I help you with anything?"

Trimyrai approaches the wagon

The woman speaks in a soft voice, trying to avoid being heard by eavesdroppers. "I heard people talk about heroes. Heroes that fight many, many harpies to save dwarves. Save sailors from slavery, fight shark-men. You are those heroes, yes? Sorry to bring danger, but my boy and me need help."

Isk extends a hand to the woman and says, "I am Iskandar Khayon, what is your name?"

She starts to extend her hand, then withdraws it, hiding it under her cloak.

"I be Cara. Pardon me sir, I would dirty your hand with mine... I must hear. Are you heroes that people talk about? That deal with danger?" When she says the word "danger", both she and the boy glance briefly at the back of their wagon, where a blanket is draped over something. She picks up the boy, who is quiet and wide-eyed at the 5 of you.

"I wouldn't use the word 'heroes' myself, but yes, we're the ones you've heard people talk about," Froskan says.  "We try to help where we can.  What is the danger?"

She looks around, checking that all of you are concealed enough not to be seen by the other people at the festival. With her free hand, she pulls the blanket off a statue. A life-sized panther-like creature is molded in gold and silver, covered in dark paint. The left eye is a ruby, and the right eye a sapphire. It was sculpted in a pose, ready to pounce. Even from an arm's distance, you can feel arcane energies radiating from it.

Cara continues in a fearful, soft voice. "Three days back, my boy plays in a cave, and finds this in a forgot... forgot-ten shrine. Other farmers help us take, to lord in fort. We hope to money. That night, things come. Try to get this statue. Donut know, they want it or they fear it. Fort guards, magic-men, lord, all die. We almost die. Barely escape. We run, we hide, but they find us. We want to go Nunkreet, protect from mighty lords and ladies, take this thing. But too far, we too tired. Please help.

"You take? Keep hide? Fight monsters, find out what statue can do? Many get hurt, if we hold. Safer, give to heroes."

Jack takes the small statue. “Happily. Anything to protect.“ he smiles as he inspects it.

Arcana:11

Quote from BoboBoombang >>

Jack takes the small statue.

 (It is not a "small" statue. A live panther can weigh as much as a human. This life-sized statue of precious metals will weigh over 300 pounds. How is Jack planning on taking it?)

Even though your group is away from traffic, Cara looks fearful of discovery. They would like the statue off their wagon (assuming your group accepts), and to move away from your current location as soon as possible.

Trimyrai: (to the party) "I think we should dispose of the thing, if it causes things to come after whoever possesses the statue, then we should keep it away from people. dump it in the ocean or something."

Froskan nods along.  "Seems rather dangerous to leave lying around.  We should try to figure out who or what is after it."

(I didn’t see life sized. Well, now he’ll just inspect it for now. Add 1 to that check, forgot my Jack of alll Trades feature.)

Jack makes a quick survey of the statue. (He may be able to learn more at a later point, but that will require better lighting and time to be thorough.)

No arcane wards or symbols. No specific magic items or rituals come to mind. There is magic all around it, but no signs that it is "intelligent" (doesn't have an alignment). Jack cannot tell if this is something used by evil beings, or something to be used against them.