The Wildemount Irregulars (2020)

Nothing for Alton, and one hit for Balassar is not enough to win a prize in the archery contest.  Another customer comes along, a halfling family with four children, and the mother pays for a turn and gets ready with the bow.

Further up the way, you spy a wrestling competition in a large area that has been marked off with rope, and opposite that a stall selling colourful headbands and wristbands.  The square was busy when you arrived and is starting to get very busy indeed, but there's a relaxed and happy atmosphere, and people are moving at a leisurely pace and enjoying the day.

Alton gives the family a wave as he backs away from the archery contest and says to the mother in passing, "You look like the great halfling archer, Neri of the Moonbow. I bet her spirit will help your shots fly true to get a great prize." Giving her a bit of bardic inspiration before joining back up with everyone.

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Sadly, Alton's inspiration doesn't help.  The mother laughs, returns the bow to the halfling in charge, and the family moves on.  She smiles and gives a wave and a shrug of defeat to Alton as they go.

Wash spurred on by not totally sucking at the strength challenge pays 15 copper and attempts the archery contest three times (he would do more except he notices others lining up to have a go):

R1:

R2:

R3:

That's a total bust. You didn't win anything.  In fact, you notice a few others attempting the archery contest after you, and no-one appears to be winning.

As the others finish their attempts at the archery contest, Silent will leave the pig booth and head over to the wrestling competition looking for the person running it. This a free-for-all or some kinda tournament? 

A human woman is overseeing the wrestling competition.  Tournament's this afternoon, she says, looking you up and down.  You look tough enough, though I reckon I've seen tougher.  You want to sign up?  Cost is five silver, which you'll lose, by the way.  Just a heads up.  You can get in some practice bouts now if you like; she nods towards the ring where you see a halfling knock a half-elf's feet out from under him, sending him tumbling to the ground.  Hey, Kor, go easy on the lad, otherwise he might be asking for his silver back.  She looks again at Silent.  Taller just means you got further to fall.

Balassar just smiles following Silent to the wrestling competition "We can take competitor here you have." he says tossing her 5 silver. He looks to Silent "Better see you for the final match in this competition."

Silent grins at Balassar. Let's hope we're better at wrestling than swingin' a hammer, eh? He hands over 5 silver to the referee but declines the offer for a practice round. 

Balassar just chuckles "If it had only been a sword."

She takes your money.  There'll be a bell rings after the noon meal is done.  You'll hear it, don't worry.

You can enter the practice ring if you want.  Further along, you see a few things; there's a performance underway - a troop of half a dozen actors is making a pretty good stab at a comedy and has gathered a crowd of two dozen people who are laughing at regular intervals.  You also see a stall selling baked goods, run by a halfling woman.  Further along, a bard has started to sing; she has a decent voice but people are not stopping to listen much.  After that you will reach the Sunset Hall itself, where more substantial food is being served for lunch. 

You've spent a fair amount of time ambling from one activity to another and it's getting close to noon.

Alton sees the bard and feels a little bad for her, knowing the pain of performing and people just walking by. "You all go have fun. I'll be back in a bit." He walks over to the bard and if there is a spot to place coins, he will put in a gold coin. Not wanting to interrupt her singing, he smiles and holds up his pan flute and asks if he may join.

When Wash sees Alton joining the bard for a performance, he wanders over very slowly, trying to drum up interest on the way by loudly saying things like the following to nobody in particular: "Wow, that singer has a beautiful voice. Is she a local?", "Does anyone know the song that bard is singing, it is really catchy", "Oh, it looks like Alton is going to join her. I know him, he is really something. This is going to be a great set, I'm sure of it."

Persuasion check if needed/allowed to try and convince additional people to watch: 18

[Hopefully with that roll I just failed to get additional people interested rather than actively scared people off.]

Silent will join Alton in tossing the bard a gold coin, though is probably too self-conscious to offer to join with his lute. 

Alton, the bard smiles when she sees the gold coin, and more so when you show her the flute.  She nods, and you join her playing folk tunes that you've known since your mother sang to you as a baby.  Make a Performance check with advantage, because this is making you feel really at home.

Wash, people stare at you and mutter to their friends.  You don't seem to have any effect on them, one way or another.  

Silent, the bard smiles at  you when you give the gold coin, but she doesn't notice your lute.

Performance: 18

It takes a few minutes, but people are now stopping instead of walking by, nodding their heads and tapping their feet as the tune becomes livelier.  You see a young father suddenly grab his wife and begin to dance, as their children look on in horrified embarrassment.  People start tossing more coins in - nothing as generous as you, but still a very good haul.  After twenty minutes have passed, the bard has netted a total of 31 silver and 95 copper, and she seems very happy with it.  The crowd drifts away and she counts the coin and offers to split it with Alton.  You're a fine player.  I'm Seta, by the way.  You can tell from her accent that she's from Felderwin Tillage, somewhere to the east of your own village.

Alton puts his pan flute away, "You have a great voice Seta. I'm Alton, a pleasure; and thank you for letting me join you." He gives her a smile, "You keep all of that coin and get something nice from the festival." He thinks for a moment, "If you'd like to play again my friends and I will be around, just look for those three." He points to Balassar, Silent, and Magnum.

What a weird bunch, she says abruptly, then flushes red and hides her head in her hands.  Sorry, sorry, don't mind me.  I've a habit to talk before thinking of what other folk might be thinking and... well, they are an unusual group for a place like this.  Is that a construct?  Wow!  She says this loud enough for Magnum, and indeed all of  you, to hear. 

Look, you're sweet, and I've got to play the other squares to make this day a success, but thanks for your help, and I'll be in the Sunset Hall tonight if you want to tell me the story of how you all met.  She smiles and then turns and walks off.

Wash smiles and says "I would love to hear your singing again, so hopefully we see you at the Sunset Hall later at around dinner time. Speaking of food, I can smell something delicious in the air. Do you have recommendations for local dishes or fesitival foods we should try?" [The second part was aimed at both Alton and Seta.]