Olwer, your relative height in comparison to the halflings and gnomes gives you a great vantage point to spy out many of them. It's the perfect early summer day, everyone's wearing light, summer clothing, and features such as complexion and hair color are readily visible. You're confident that you could spot your quarry, if she were anywhere nearby, but she does not appear to be.
The first sight, right at the faire entrance, is a strange one. An ancient-looking halfling woman, bent over with age, yet with a youthful happy spark in her eyes, is enthusiastically greeting many faire-goers, and many of the faire-goers seem to want to stop and talk to her, as well. What really catches your eye, though, are her "pet" companions. Harnessed to her cart are two kittens of enormous size. The kittens appear completely normal in every way, except that they are each as large as a horse. They sit calmly, cleaning themselves and watching the faire-goers with mild curiosity.
Just inside the faire ahead on the right, you can also see what appears to be an herbalist's wagon with their wares set out on display, and on the left is a livestock pen.
Olwer spares a curious second look at the huge kitties, but continues on to the central tent (unless his companion veers off someplace).
Erevan pauses for a moment in the hubbub of the fairgrounds and whispers quietly to Fez, who is hovering near the warlock's right ear. He speaks the Sylvan tongue. "Keep an eye out for a halfling lass with bright red hair. Perhaps do a flyabout. Stay unseen. And watch out for big kittens."
With that, Fez zips away unseen, and Erevan follows along with Olwer toward the center of the fair.
You bypass the herbalist wagon, noting in passing that it is intricately carved with a woodland scene. You pass the livestock pen, where animals are proudly displayed for prizes. You pass a cider stand, the sweet scent of apples in the air. You’ve arrived at the big tent in the center of the faire.
The green-and-blue striped canvas is stretched wide and tall over many sturdy poles to create a large space inside. A lineup of Faire-goers heads to the left-hand area, where a breakfast of griddle-cakes, syrup, and fruit is being served. The bulk of the space is filled with sturdy wooden tables, and groups of Faire-goers are sitting here, eating breakfast, chatting amicably. At the right side is a small wooden stage, currently empty.
In the center of the area, your eyes are drawn to the largest dessert you’ve ever seen: The Great Pudding. It appears to be an enormous fruitcake, nearly ten feet in diameter, resting atop several tables moved together.
You are surprised to see several children, and even a few fully-grown faire-goers, actually jumping from table to table, while others throw food or wooden balls at them. Everyone is laughing, even when the occasional breakfast is kicked off its table. It appears to be a game.
You tap the shoulder of a short gnome lady, and she turns to answer your question, “Well this year we are expecting—”
As she turns to face you she suddenly realizes that you are almost twice her height. She cranes her neck up to look in your face.
”Goodness me, a visitor. Look at how tall you are! But to answer your question, there are several musical acts throughout the day, starting at lunchtime, and the mayor makes announcements from there, and they crown the Pudding King there tonight.”
Erevan listens to his companion's conversation with the gnome lady and smiles at the end.
"Do tell dear lady, how is the Pudding King chosen?" he asks. "I hope that the reigning Pudding King doesn't need to perish in order for the new one to inherit the crown!" He laughs at his slightly twisted little joke.
To answer your question, she points back towards the middle of the tent. You turn just in time to see a young halfling leap from a breakfast table and deftly land onto a table very close to the Great Pudding. The crowd gives a cheer as someone calls out, "Time!" You now notice, at the far end of the tent, an area with a large chalkboard. A halfling and a gnome are conferring there, and then the gnome announces, "24 seconds, the new record!" They erase the previous number on the chalkboard, a 26, and write a 24. Underneath, they write the leaping halfling's name, Winnie Cowslip.
Your gnome lady explains. "You play Yondalla's luck, and the one with the fastest time is crowned Pudding King at the end of the day and gets the first serving of pudding."
"Not so closely related, no. We're business associates."
He converses with her a bit longer, if she seems open to chat. He inquires as to her favorite sort of ale or beer and where the cleanest and coolest source of sweet water might be found in or near the town.
Erevan nods at Olwer's response to the woman. "Very very distant cousins at best," he says with a chuckle as he observes the timing and scorekeeping, marveling at the things all manner of humanoids will do for amusement. It does occur to him that he and Olwer very much stand out in the crowd at this event, to say the least.
As Olwer continues to chat up the helpful lady, Erevan half-closes his eyes and reaches out with his mind to see what Fez is seeing and what he might be up to. How goes it, Fez? Seen anything of note? He keeps a gentle smile on his face, looking for all the world as if he is just taking in the antics of the fair.
OOC: Using Voice of the Chain Master, Erevan can communicate telepathically with familiar, perceive through its senses, and speak through it in his voice as long as they are on the same plane of existence.
"I prefer cider, myself. You should try the cider stand, I've already had 2 mugs this morning."
"Water source? Hmmm... not the pond, it's murky. The cleanest will have to be Threepenny creek, it runs on the border between the town and the forest, west side of town. That's where they got the eels for the eel-eating contest."
Erevan half-closes his eyes and reaches out with his mind to see what Fez is seeing and what he might be up to. How goes it, Fez? Seen anything of note?
Assuming Fez flew around and scanned a lot of the fair from above, most of the fair would appear normal. Gnomes and halflings milling about, visiting the various stalls and stations, having a good time. But Fez likely would have noticed what appears to be a disturbance at the livestock pen - a large knot of people gathered and talking. It seems out of place. Would Fez like to investigate?
Fez gets close enough to see a knot of worried-looking halflings murmuring and muttering together. Voices become audible:
“But who woulda taken him?” “Beats me, someone must be mighty jealous.”
”Cameron was the favorite; this must be sabotage!” “Golly, sabotage at the faire, who woulda thought it?”
”Maybe we can find the poor rascal, surely it’s not too late...”
One particularly elderly-looking halfling is saying: “Oh aye, this has happened before, I remember as clearly as t’were yesterday... The Greentower Brothers nicked Quincy Cloudburst’s prize heffer and had her locked up in their barn—“
Hes interrupted as a dejected-looking halfling approaches the group. The others all turn towards him and start talking at once.
”Farmer Butterweed, is it true? Cameron’s gone missing?”
”Maybe he escaped? You didn’t latch his pen correctly?”
”Do you have any enemies? Who’s in line to win if Cameron’s out of the picture?”
As with the rest of the goings on at the fair, Erevan is intrigued and amused by what he hears and sees through the sprite's ears and eyes. It had never occurred to him that so much intrigue and skullduggery would surround livestock, but he supposes that whenever there is coin to be made, there will be cheaters.
"Olwer, a moment? I have an idea about pure water and hops that I need to share before it passes," he says to his fellow bounty hunter.
He looks down at the woman. "You'll excuse us a moment? Trade secrets and all. Very hush-hush." He flashes his winning smile at her.
As with the rest of the goings on at the fair, Erevan is intrigued and amused by what he hears and sees through the sprite's ears and eyes. It had never occurred to him that so much intrigue and skullduggery would surround livestock, but he supposes that whenever there is coin to be made, there will be cheaters.
"Olwer, a moment? I have an idea about pure water and hops that I need to share before it passes," he says to his fellow bounty hunter.
He looks down at the woman. "You'll excuse us a moment? Trade secrets and all. Very hush-hush." He flashes his winning smile at her.
Walking to a less crowded place with his companion, Olwer says in the Elvish Tongue,
Erevan replies casually in Elvish, not speaking too loudly. "Fez is flitting about, having a look at the goings-on, seeing and hearing some things," he says. "Nothing too promising, but it seems there may have been a crime at the livestock pen. Some stolen cow or pig or such thing. But I wonder if someone with a larcenous streak might be involved. Or at the very least, were we to solve that crime, we might win some allies. Care to go take a look around the livestock pen? I'm sure the odors are delightful..."
Erevan replies casually in Elvish, not speaking too loudly. "Fez is flitting about, having a look at the goings-on, seeing and hearing some things," he says. "Nothing too promising, but it seems there may have been a crime at the livestock pen. Some stolen cow or pig or such thing. But I wonder if someone with a larcenous streak might be involved. Or at the very least, were we to solve that crime, we might win some allies. Care to go take a look around the livestock pen? I'm sure the odors are delightful..."
''It seems worth a look, yes."
Olwer heads for the livestock pen.
When he arrives, he gauges the mood of those nearby. If it seems obvious from the activity at the scene that something untoward has occurred and so wouldn't be suspicious for him to ask someone present what has happened, he will inquire what's the fuss all about.
If no outward signs indicate trouble, he instead makes an inquiry about working ponies, ones suitable for wagon-hauling. Any on show this year?
(He doesn't wish to make anyone think he's got special information, so he won't just stroll up and ask about a possible crime out of the blue! He doesn't mention his profession unless directly asked, but it's brewer to anyone who does inquire.)
deception, if needed to hold up his cover under suspicious questioning
8
animal handling, if applicable to talk of livestock, including the missing pig
16
investigation to check out the scene, if told of the possible sabotage
3
----------------------
OOC: DM, please let me know if I'm getting ahead of things with this post.
(Not at all getting too far ahead, such thing are understandable for PBP)
Olwer sees that the scene is such that asking “what happened” would be entirely natural, and does so.
One older halfling, who appears distraught, explains the situation to you, while the rest of the group splits their attention between listening to him attentively and eying you with curiosity, not suspicion (nice deception roll)
“My prize pig Cameron’s been stolen. He was the favorite to win Best of Show this year. He was safe in his pen last night, but this morning when I came out to the pen to load him up and bring him into town, he was gone.”
(Not at all getting too far ahead, such thing are understandable for PBP)
Olwer sees that the scene is such that asking “what happened” would be entirely natural, and does so.
One older halfling, who appears distraught, explains the situation to you, while the rest of the group splits their attention between listening to him attentively and eying you with curiosity, not suspicion (nice deception roll)
“My prize pig Cameron’s been stolen. He was the favorite to win Best of Show this year. He was safe in his pen last night, but this morning when I came out to the pen to load him up and bring him into town, he was gone.”
''Stolen, not escaped or snatched by a hungry wolf? Oh, no, I suppose you'd have seen any tracks left by a beastie, getting in or out. So, a pig-rustler, eh? You've got my sympathy. I've run into my share of rascals and thieves in Baldur's Gate; crooked tavernkeepers and slyly-tippling deliverymen, barrel-burglars. My advice is get a second set of eyes on that pen, right away. Somebody to look at it fresh, consider the situation."
''Stolen, not escaped or snatched by a hungry wolf? Oh, no, I suppose you'd have seen any tracks left by a beastie, getting in or out. So, a pig-rustler, eh? You've got my sympathy. I've run into my share of rascals and thieves in Baldur's Gate; crooked tavernkeepers and slyly-tippling deliverymen, barrel-burglars. My advice is get a second set of eyes on that pen, right away. Somebody to look at it fresh, consider the situation."
The halflings perk up at your words.
"You have experience, you say? Could you perhaps take a look, see if you can find any clues? Perhaps Cameron can be found!"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Olwer spares a curious second look at the huge kitties, but continues on to the central tent (unless his companion veers off someplace).
Erevan pauses for a moment in the hubbub of the fairgrounds and whispers quietly to Fez, who is hovering near the warlock's right ear. He speaks the Sylvan tongue. "Keep an eye out for a halfling lass with bright red hair. Perhaps do a flyabout. Stay unseen. And watch out for big kittens."
With that, Fez zips away unseen, and Erevan follows along with Olwer toward the center of the fair.
You bypass the herbalist wagon, noting in passing that it is intricately carved with a woodland scene. You pass the livestock pen, where animals are proudly displayed for prizes. You pass a cider stand, the sweet scent of apples in the air. You’ve arrived at the big tent in the center of the faire.
The green-and-blue striped canvas is stretched wide and tall over many sturdy poles to create a large space inside. A lineup of Faire-goers heads to the left-hand area, where a breakfast of griddle-cakes, syrup, and fruit is being served. The bulk of the space is filled with sturdy wooden tables, and groups of Faire-goers are sitting here, eating breakfast, chatting amicably. At the right side is a small wooden stage, currently empty.
In the center of the area, your eyes are drawn to the largest dessert you’ve ever seen: The Great Pudding. It appears to be an enormous fruitcake, nearly ten feet in diameter, resting atop several tables moved together.
You are surprised to see several children, and even a few fully-grown faire-goers, actually jumping from table to table, while others throw food or wooden balls at them. Everyone is laughing, even when the occasional breakfast is kicked off its table. It appears to be a game.
Olwer politely asks a fair-goer about the stage and what events might be held there later.
You tap the shoulder of a short gnome lady, and she turns to answer your question, “Well this year we are expecting—”
As she turns to face you she suddenly realizes that you are almost twice her height. She cranes her neck up to look in your face.
”Goodness me, a visitor. Look at how tall you are! But to answer your question, there are several musical acts throughout the day, starting at lunchtime, and the mayor makes announcements from there, and they crown the Pudding King there tonight.”
Erevan listens to his companion's conversation with the gnome lady and smiles at the end.
"Do tell dear lady, how is the Pudding King chosen?" he asks. "I hope that the reigning Pudding King doesn't need to perish in order for the new one to inherit the crown!" He laughs at his slightly twisted little joke.
The gnome lady goggles at you.
"There are two of you? Are you brothers?"
To answer your question, she points back towards the middle of the tent. You turn just in time to see a young halfling leap from a breakfast table and deftly land onto a table very close to the Great Pudding. The crowd gives a cheer as someone calls out, "Time!" You now notice, at the far end of the tent, an area with a large chalkboard. A halfling and a gnome are conferring there, and then the gnome announces, "24 seconds, the new record!" They erase the previous number on the chalkboard, a 26, and write a 24. Underneath, they write the leaping halfling's name, Winnie Cowslip.
Your gnome lady explains. "You play Yondalla's luck, and the one with the fastest time is crowned Pudding King at the end of the day and gets the first serving of pudding."
Olwer answers the gnome's question,
"Not so closely related, no. We're business associates."
He converses with her a bit longer, if she seems open to chat. He inquires as to her favorite sort of ale or beer and where the cleanest and coolest source of sweet water might be found in or near the town.
Erevan nods at Olwer's response to the woman. "Very very distant cousins at best," he says with a chuckle as he observes the timing and scorekeeping, marveling at the things all manner of humanoids will do for amusement. It does occur to him that he and Olwer very much stand out in the crowd at this event, to say the least.
As Olwer continues to chat up the helpful lady, Erevan half-closes his eyes and reaches out with his mind to see what Fez is seeing and what he might be up to. How goes it, Fez? Seen anything of note? He keeps a gentle smile on his face, looking for all the world as if he is just taking in the antics of the fair.
OOC: Using Voice of the Chain Master, Erevan can communicate telepathically with familiar, perceive through its senses, and speak through it in his voice as long as they are on the same plane of existence.
"I prefer cider, myself. You should try the cider stand, I've already had 2 mugs this morning."
"Water source? Hmmm... not the pond, it's murky. The cleanest will have to be Threepenny creek, it runs on the border between the town and the forest, west side of town. That's where they got the eels for the eel-eating contest."
Assuming Fez flew around and scanned a lot of the fair from above, most of the fair would appear normal. Gnomes and halflings milling about, visiting the various stalls and stations, having a good time. But Fez likely would have noticed what appears to be a disturbance at the livestock pen - a large knot of people gathered and talking. It seems out of place. Would Fez like to investigate?
Erevan telepathically asks Fez to move in closer to the disturbance at the livestock pen and take a look at what is happening.
Fez gets close enough to see a knot of worried-looking halflings murmuring and muttering together. Voices become audible:
“But who woulda taken him?” “Beats me, someone must be mighty jealous.”
”Cameron was the favorite; this must be sabotage!” “Golly, sabotage at the faire, who woulda thought it?”
”Maybe we can find the poor rascal, surely it’s not too late...”
One particularly elderly-looking halfling is saying: “Oh aye, this has happened before, I remember as clearly as t’were yesterday... The Greentower Brothers nicked Quincy Cloudburst’s prize heffer and had her locked up in their barn—“
Hes interrupted as a dejected-looking halfling approaches the group. The others all turn towards him and start talking at once.
”Farmer Butterweed, is it true? Cameron’s gone missing?”
”Maybe he escaped? You didn’t latch his pen correctly?”
”Do you have any enemies? Who’s in line to win if Cameron’s out of the picture?”
As with the rest of the goings on at the fair, Erevan is intrigued and amused by what he hears and sees through the sprite's ears and eyes. It had never occurred to him that so much intrigue and skullduggery would surround livestock, but he supposes that whenever there is coin to be made, there will be cheaters.
"Olwer, a moment? I have an idea about pure water and hops that I need to share before it passes," he says to his fellow bounty hunter.
He looks down at the woman. "You'll excuse us a moment? Trade secrets and all. Very hush-hush." He flashes his winning smile at her.
Walking to a less crowded place with his companion, Olwer says in the Elvish Tongue,
"Trade secrets, eh? I'm listening."
Erevan replies casually in Elvish, not speaking too loudly. "Fez is flitting about, having a look at the goings-on, seeing and hearing some things," he says. "Nothing too promising, but it seems there may have been a crime at the livestock pen. Some stolen cow or pig or such thing. But I wonder if someone with a larcenous streak might be involved. Or at the very least, were we to solve that crime, we might win some allies. Care to go take a look around the livestock pen? I'm sure the odors are delightful..."
''It seems worth a look, yes."
Olwer heads for the livestock pen.
When he arrives, he gauges the mood of those nearby. If it seems obvious from the activity at the scene that something untoward has occurred and so wouldn't be suspicious for him to ask someone present what has happened, he will inquire what's the fuss all about.
If no outward signs indicate trouble, he instead makes an inquiry about working ponies, ones suitable for wagon-hauling. Any on show this year?
(He doesn't wish to make anyone think he's got special information, so he won't just stroll up and ask about a possible crime out of the blue! He doesn't mention his profession unless directly asked, but it's brewer to anyone who does inquire.)
deception, if needed to hold up his cover under suspicious questioning
8
animal handling, if applicable to talk of livestock, including the missing pig
16
investigation to check out the scene, if told of the possible sabotage
3
----------------------
OOC: DM, please let me know if I'm getting ahead of things with this post.
(Not at all getting too far ahead, such thing are understandable for PBP)
Olwer sees that the scene is such that asking “what happened” would be entirely natural, and does so.
One older halfling, who appears distraught, explains the situation to you, while the rest of the group splits their attention between listening to him attentively and eying you with curiosity, not suspicion (nice deception roll)
“My prize pig Cameron’s been stolen. He was the favorite to win Best of Show this year. He was safe in his pen last night, but this morning when I came out to the pen to load him up and bring him into town, he was gone.”
''Stolen, not escaped or snatched by a hungry wolf? Oh, no, I suppose you'd have seen any tracks left by a beastie, getting in or out. So, a pig-rustler, eh? You've got my sympathy. I've run into my share of rascals and thieves in Baldur's Gate; crooked tavernkeepers and slyly-tippling deliverymen, barrel-burglars. My advice is get a second set of eyes on that pen, right away. Somebody to look at it fresh, consider the situation."
The halflings perk up at your words.
"You have experience, you say? Could you perhaps take a look, see if you can find any clues? Perhaps Cameron can be found!"