The Wildemount Irregulars (2020)

Balassar just chuckled “Well be ther there and I’ll have to tell you how Alton here inspired us to victory against some deadly undead foes. Though they have ale at that place right?”

Alton chuckles, "I didn't do very much in that fight, you and Silent did most of the work." He gives a wave to Seta as she walks off, "Good luck with the rest of the day." He turns to his companions, "Just try everything Wash, it is all really tasty food. So, what do you guys want to see next, or should we head over for lunch?"

Wash nods enthusiastically, "Lunch would be great" and he starts looking for dishes and ingredients he hasn't tried before.

Lunch is great indeed.  Felderwin is the agricultural heart of the Empire and all manner of baked goods, fruits, fruit-based candies and other delights are available.  There are many tables strewn around the area so you manage to make your purchases (1-3 silver each, depending on how much you want) and find a seat together.  Around you, happy families are talking and eating, children are playing, and more bards - not Seta at the moment - are performing nearby.

You see a few people that you recognise, either sitting down for lunch at the other tables or walking by, sampling the activities or shopping for goodies.  You all recognise Geta, your occasional guard watcher, who is with a group of four other young women the same age having lunch.  Silent, you notice Jorthus Blackcrag the grizzled merc walking with what appears to be his grandchildren, around seven of them rushing around out of control.  

Wash, you notice that Trogdor, not usually enthusiastic about eating around you, jumps onto the table and is sampling small bits of what everyone is eating.  If anyone attempts to stop him, you will receive an image in your mind of a small dragon-like creature dropping a dead mouse into your boot at night.  This is a happy time and a happy place for these people, he sends the thought only to Wash.  It is good to be here.  He takes a bite from a cookie and jumps up into the air, circling overhead while the local children look on in amazement.  

At the opposite end of the square, you see Art, escorted by two guards.  He doesn't get anywhere near you; he seems most interested in perusing the wares of a stall selling colourful cloaks.

Balasssar smiles as they begin to get food looking around quickly begins to gather various meats, cheeses, and fruits. He continues to look around and then asks one of the people at the food table taking money "By chance do you have Trost?" he asks with a curling hopeful smile.

Magnum sees Art and mutters to himself about how they're letting such a tricksy fellow walk around. Even with an escort. 

We do, says the man standing behind the ale stall.  Baumbach, Husseldorf or von Brandt?

He has all three for sale, and it will cost four copper for a mug.

Balassar just grins widely like a child in a candy shop "I'll take all three in separate mugs."

Silent eats a small amount of food, trying to keep an empty stomach before the wrestling match. He also tries to keep a sharp eye on Art (in case this calls for Perception 10 )

Alton will pay 2 silver for a meal and get a mug of the Husseldorf. He will sit down and do his best to enjoy lunch and try not to worry about Art and tomorrow.

Wash orders at least one of every dish and food item he sees, ending up with at least food for two (6 silver deducted - let me know if I should deduct more). He doesn't stuff himself, but instead tries little bits of each dish, calling out to the stall holders "Oh, this is fantastic, Ive never tried anything like this", "Oh, the flavours and spice are so well balanced - you are a master at your craft",  "You can taste how fresh everything is and it is seasoned to perfection!" and similar. He will also be trying to get all of his companions to try the dishes he likes the most "No really, try it, this is the best thing I've eaten in a long time." 

He smiles at Trogdor when Trogdor speaks/telepathically communicates with him "Indeed, it is good to be around all this happiness."

When Wash notices Art, he asks Trogdor "do you mind going and as stealthily as possible seeing what Art is buying at that stall?"

[I should check, did Trogdor ask to be changed back into a pseudodragon at some point after being changed into a sprite or seem unhappy about being in a different form? If so, Wash would have changed him back to a psuedodragon immediately. If not Wash would keep him in sprite form until they leave the city, asking each morning words to the effect of "are you happy in this form for today, or do you want me to change you to another form". Wash will also keep an eye out for more charcoal, incense, and herbs while they are about town.]

Balassar you return to the table with three mugs of assorted ales, and enjoy them immensely.

Silent, Art moves on, with his minders in tow, out of your field of view after only a minute or two.  You don't catch sight of them again during lunch.

Alton, your lunch is delicious and the ale goes very nicely with it.

Wash, the day after you changed him into a sprite, you woke to find that Trogdor has reverted to pseudodragon form.  If you asked him about this, he would say that he strongly prefers this shape, though he is willing to help out in other forms when needed.  He takes to the skies before you can discuss changing his form to observe Art, and you see him in the distance, hugging the roof and spying on the half-elf quite stealthily.

(You would have seen regular shops open in the market and you can get charcoal and incense; just mark the cost off on your sheet - the shop would have up to 50 gold's worth if needed.)

After lunch, a bell sounds loudly and many people stand quickly and head towards the wrestling tournament - it looks like you will have a good crowd.  Balassar and Silent are joining; anyone else?

There are a few different homebrew ideas for wrestling competitions in D&D, which I've borrowed from heavily here.

Rules for Wrestling - PbP version

• You and your competitor each make five wrestling checks, all at once, representing the whole bout (to speed things up.)
• A wrestling check is:  A d20 + STR modifier + DEX modifier + Supporter Modifier.
• Each wrestler has a supporter who shouts advice and/or encouragement during the bout. 
• If the supporter has the brawler feat, is a monk, or some other aspect of their background would make them unusually skilled at wrestling then they act as an advisor.  The Supporter Modifier is their Proficiency Bonus + CHA modifier. 
• If the supporter does not have meet the requirements to act as an advisor then they are a cheerleader.  The Supporter Modifier is their CHA modifier only. 
• We decide the result of the contest by comparing each pair of wrestling checks.  If a player wins that check by three points or more, they win that round.  Any less than a three-point lead results in a draw.  After five rounds, we see who has won most rounds, and the winner progresses.

Let's see if this works....

Balassar, your first opponent is a human boy who looks barely over seventeen years old.  He grins at the crowd, though his grin fades slightly as he sees his tall and formidable opponent.

Silent, your first opponent is a gnome woman who looks as tough as old nails and doesn't flinch when you look at her, but scowls back, getting a laugh and a few cheers from the crowd.

You'll need to remove your armour and weapons for the fights.

Balassar, you're up first.  Who's going to be your supporter?  And please make your five wrestling checks... or let me know if the instructions aren't clear. :)

For the supporter, please give a few examples of things you shout at Balassar during the fight.  I might give bonus points.

Balassar walks up to Alton and begins to take off his armor and weapons placing them near the halfling "Mind helping to provide some epic fight music out there. Might help me concentrate." he says as he turns around and heads towards the field cracking his knuckles. He may have an age, size and experience benefit against the kid but he wasn't going to take it easy on him.

He holds out his hand "Names Balassar, lets make this a good a honorable one." he just looks at the sky "KORD MAY THIS BOUGHT PLEASE YOU AND BRING GLORY TO YOU NAME!" he shouts as he gets ready for his first round.

OOC:

I'll pick Alton, since I feel having the bard might be useful.

1: 12

2: 13

3: 12

4: 15

5: 17

Wash offers to act as a cheerleader for Silent (would add +3 from Charisma), though he won't be offended if Silent chooses his longer term party member Magnum instead.

Alton agrees to support Balassar in his match. Busting out his pan flute he plays an up beat fight song, like the beat to Eye of the Tiger, at the start of the match. As the fight goes on he says things to Balassar like, "You gotta fight, for your right, to party!"

While removing his armour and weapons Silent thanks Wash for his offer and asks both him and Magnum, Either of you ever wrestled before? Been a long time since I sparred without a blade. He throws a nervous glance at the gnome woman and confides quietly, Think I'll need all the help I can get. 

I've never wrestled, myself, but I'll happily cheer you on.

(OOC: Magnum's Charisma Modifier is +2)

Balassar, there are gasps of shock as you shout the name of the forbidden God Kord to the sky.  People seem stunned, and though they don't seem particularly angry or hostile, there's an immediate murmer as people turn to each other to talk.  You see Captain Ressin in the audience, giving you a calculating look. 

However, the woman running the competition just laughs.  You're lucky you're in Felderwin, lad.  Try that in Rexxentrum and see how far you get.  You'll probably get your ear chewed off by the Lawmaster, I reckon.  But anyways, time's a wasting.  Get to it.

You and your opponent step up, and the wrestling competition begins.

17
12
13
12
11