Homebrew: Totem of Carrowkeel

Darik a little sad about his response will give him his name.

Darik: "....I see my name is Darik, Darik Freewinds."

Darik noticing Brida and co coming closer waits for there introductions and continues

Darik: " Brida! (Giving up a big hug) This drink "ale" (Lifting his mug) is to my liking never had any before! So many people living and dancing never seen anything like this! (Drinking more ale) I know I have been pretty hard on you and I want to apologize, I think in a lot of ways you remind me of myself for some reason... (Getting a little gloomy hears Erevan playing) Anyway if its not to much trouble let's dance away are sorrows!"

Darik will begin to dance waiting for Brida to join!

DM Question:

 "It's nice to meet you, Pitero. I'm Saarebas, come let's watch the celebration. I've never been a part of any religious celebration like this before." 

Saarebas/OOC: possibly however you washed up on the west side of Talamh in Loughcrew while Pitero is from the east on the coast the last of the farmlands before reaching Sul Na Mara!

Pitero/OOC: Yes. Brida smiles at you asking you curiously about your home and temple.

Darik: Brida nods at you thanking you but declines your offer instead remaining with Pitero taking a seat back on the steps with her dark eleven companion listening to the new cleric as well as Erevan's playing. Your hope for a partner doesn't go unnoticed however your are called out by other girls and guys dancing in the square outside of the temple.

The atmosphere is happy and as the sunsets the first of three bonfires are lit. You see a line of people moving towards the fire tossing in bits of paper as ash floats into the evening sky.

Darik enjoying the festival ask Brida why they are throwing paper into the fire.

Darik: "Whats with the paper?"

"So, Pitero you came from White Spear. That's a fair bit of traveling. Are you going back there once the festival is over?"  

Darik: Brida smiles at you, "the paper people have written to ask for a blessing to be granted from Chauntea. The second fire," you see her points to the second unlit pyre, "will be for those who wish a burden to be lifted," she explains.  "The third," she points to the last and largest fire, "is for the offerings to the goddess herself to persuade her to look favorably on the other two," she finishes as people all around are nodding looking at the group curiously. Brida then sips her mug of ale as you see Aldaryn hug her closer to his side giving you an unreadable look before looking back to the fires and people making requests.

Everyone: The sun has set on the square that's overwhelmed with people. Seated at the top of the temple steps however you have a prime view of the pyres. As the first is slowing with people asking for blessings you see the once jovial, festive mood of the crowds almost fall completely silent as the second pyre is set alight. Then they come, you see people hobbling or being brought my others to the bonfire and tossing their requests in. The festival crowds remain looking on, those who talk whisper. You mark a real change in the mood of the festival around you, somber and still.

Hearing this, Erevan writes a letter:

Goddess,

Please grant your blessing to all present today for safe passage and bountiful harvests.  Also grant your blessing to my recent traveling companions for prosperity, wisdom and compassion in the life they have chosen.

Erevan then tosses the letter into the first fire.

Erevan: You letter you see now standing by the fire burns then turns into a blue arcane ash. You are one of the last beings to toss into the blessings pyre and then see two clerics of Chauntea close  the path to the pyre behind you as if blocking the blessing fire now.

Brida gets up from the steps leaving all but Aldaryn behind. He follows her to the pyre of burdens and takes he hand as you see them both looking at one another before Aldaryn takes the slip of paper from Brida's hand then tosses it in. There's a murmur of shock as well as some chuckling of hte clerics, paladins, and acolytes around you on the steps as Aldaryn then kisses Brida's forehead. Their murmurs quickly fade however when Aldaryn leads her back to the steps. Although Brida first sits glumly not taking any more ale Aldaryn looks oddly content. Then before you can raise a question about Brida's message High Priestess Hyghland emerges from the temple and a hush falls over the crowd. Once she stands on a sigil of Chauntea at the center of the large white stone staircase people seem to be in awe of her they are even more silent after her arrival than they were for the first souls who arrived to lay down their burdens on the fire. With a silent wave of her hand the third and largest pyre is lit. Then you watch as you watch cart after cart of the best harvest from all over the land are then dumped into the flames. It seems like a waste to an outlander but the crowd is reverent and still as their offerings are made. Priestess Hyghland then addresses the crowd from the sigil on the steps of the temple, it is so quiet she need not shout, but her voice seems amplified somehow and the people are listening.

"Although some of you have seen a boon this year yet ask many blessing for Chauntea to bestow upon you there are many who have not been so lucky. As the offering pyre grows larger still remember the good that Chauntea has brought you and be humble so that she may grant your request of a blessing given or a burden lifted," says the stunningly beautiful older human priestess still dressed in white. Hyghland then bows to the crowd, "may Chauntea's blessings always be upon you," she adds before clapping her hands that seems to stoke up the various musicians who begin to play again as people in the crowds return to their merry-making. Stopping on the step nearest your group Hyghland and her council stare quite hard at you before she waves Brida over. The older woman then tells Aldaryn and your party to make the bst of the evening as Brida looks warily at you before leaving the steps and returning inside the temple.

More food is then brought out and more ales, meads, and wines are given freely as the people of Feirm and those who bought gifts from the far reaches to ask for blesses or burdens lifted. The square outside the temple seems to frenzy with people as the clerics and acolytes as well as the surrounding businesses share their bounty with all you ask. An hour passes as people begin to cheer as the offerings begin to lessen but still fine things are making there way onto the pyre. 

Erevan: You watch in slightly drunken abject horror as a fine harp is tossed into the flames.

Saarebas/Darik: You look on confused as a full set of the finest plate armor you've ever seen is then tossed into the flames.

Pitero: Then your cart of bounty, the best your small village could manage having had a hard harvest, gets dumped in as well thus ending the bulk of the offerings to Chauntea.

Another hour passes and you see Aldaryn is visible anxious about Brida who has yet to return. When you asks him what might it be that keeps her from the festival he only replies 'church business' which none of you but Pitero could have the slightest clue means. Then finally out of the temple you see Brida. She looks somber and is wearing the very satchel she brought from Carrowkeel as well as stern expression!

"Come I've had enough merry making," Brida says curtly to the group. "If we get to bed early we can leave the city at dawn," Brida explains before Aldaryn, looking at the three of you then nods at her, moves to join her. "Pitero if you would like to join us on our way back to Carrowkeel tomorrow you are very welcome," she adds looking at Pitero expectantly for answer to her offer. 

Darik confused by her abrupt tone looks at the satchel does it seem to be of the same weight as last time.

Perception: 7

Darik: "Everything okay? I'm fine with leaving at dawn."

Insight: 4

Darik: You never studied the bag before so you're not quite sure if it's contents are different or not! As for Brida you see and know she's upset but she's very serious about wanting to leave the city ASAP and dawn is the best she can do knowing everyone has been drinking and drunk riding isn't a great idea! 

"I have some questions for Sir Ballen but they can wait until your payments are made," Brida answers Darik before she looks curious to Pitero for his answer to her invitation.

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Darik: You never studied the bag before so you're not quite sure if it's contents are different or not! As for Brida you see and know she's upset but she's very serious about wanting to leave the city ASAP and dawn is the best she can do knowing everyone has been drinking and drunk riding isn't a great idea! 

"I have some questions for Sir Ballen but they can wait until your payments are made," Brida answers Darik before she looks curious to Pitero for his answer to her invitation.

Saarebas, taken aback by the Brida’s sudden turn in mood, will stare at her a little flabbergasted at her sudden want to departed but will not question it.  

When Pitero indicates that he is going to be sleeping outside Saarebas will offer his bed in the temple to Pitero guessing that he has been sleeping on the hard wood of the cart throughout his entire trip and doesn’t mind ruffing it outside.

OOC: Who is Shale? Are you now a stone golem? 

Erevan: Please check in and tell us how your night's going.

Everyone We'll end the festival night with everyone getting a good long-rest before 0 dark 30 rise and shine the next dawn!

OOC: Heading out for the night guys, will check in again tomorrow!

After making his offering to the blessings fire, Erevan  spends the rest of the evening playing music and sipping wine. He notes Brida's emergence from the temple with interest and guesses Brida had a change of heart which kept her from producing Carrowkeel's  offering. He says nothing about it though and figures Brida will have enough of a burden carrying that totem back to Carrowkeel. He'll  stay uplate, get a good trance and be ready by the time the group gathers in the morning.

Brida wakes and she as well as Aldaryn who's slept in his own chamber goes her having both gathered their gear. Breakfast even at this hour is available and they sit eating a porridge in eerie silence. Brida still looks visibly upset and Aldaryn seems to have had a rough night himself.

Everyone: How do you find yourselves this morning?

The sun has barely crested over the city. Besides religious folk, bakers, and those cleaning the remenants of the festival, your are the only ones seemingly awake.