Session 240:

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Session 239:

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Session 238:

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Session 237:

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Session 236: Needfest

My tale begins as the revelries of Needfest continue. Whimsical masks are made of various materials (cloth, feathers, painted wood) and for one night, townsfolk act in ways that are contrary to the normal social order. Children boss around their parents, farmhands mock their employers, and some high-status villagers behave in wild and uncharacteristic ways that they are sure to deny in the morning. A "Lord of Orlane" was selected to preside over the festival, not by popular vote, but by chance. This year, a single black bean was placed in a bowl filled with white beans and one by one, each villager drew a bean until the black one was pulled. The chosen one was dressed in a garish and oversized cloak and was sat in a "throne" and forced to settle silly disputes and grievances from any who wished to speak up. I, myself have been appointed as Lady of Orlane no fewer than three times over the years. This year the unlucky fellow was none other than Finn Thistlebrook, a jovial lad who has recently taken over the family apple orchard that has been the backbone of many a festival as it supplies the fruit for fine casks of cider and delicious apple tarts. He presided with good humor as he ruled over some matters of dubious import. Celia Wren brought a case against her neighbor Doran Kestral to see if the Lord would stipulate that Doran's noisy rooster was disturbing the peace. Finn thought a moment as he glanced at his cousin Doran and declared that "it is at the owner's discretion". Then, Torvald Whitmore wondered aloud whether the ale that had been sold to him from one of the local vendors could still be called ale when it was clearly watered down. Lord Thistlebrook called upon an expert with discerning taste, Sergius the Dwarf, to make the judgement. Sergius took a large gulp from the flagon and declared the drink nothing more than "flavored water!" A mighty cheer arose and some sidelong glares were cast toward the beverage cart where most of the patrons immediately stepped out of line. Next, Cedric Landry spoke up and complained that Briony Frost had not paid him for his work clearing gophers from her field. Briony stated indignantly that Cedric had spent the afternoon asleep beneath an oak tree and had only killed two gophers. Finn nodded sagely and declared that Cedric was owed his pay because although he had napped, the man had indeed shown up and done the job asked of him. Briony dug into her purse and produced a few coins with a sour expression. Cedric ran off with glee to patronize one of the ale stalls. Lastly, a cry came from somewhere deep in the crowd that adventurers should be taxed for bringing trouble into the town with them. Low murmurs turned into boisterous chatter that then solidified into a chant of "tax! tax! tax!" With a wide grin on his face, Finn declared that all adventurers should indeed pay a tax of five gold pieces each for the burdens and hardships they seem to track back in to town, not unlike dirt on their boots. Gnorcia took great displeasure in this ruling, wondering why she should be punished for her repeated rescue of the town and good work in the barrow maze. Doran Kestral hollered out drunkenly that the adventurers were the reason his roosters were so noisy. Bram Halloway voiced his concern that the adventurers would eventually infect the village with a plague carried in from who knows where. Mayor Zacharias spoke up with a hollow voice that much has been both gained and lost from the exploits of the Saviors of Orlane. That dampened the tone somewhat, but seemed to settle the matter. 

Each of the adventurers paid up and returned to their chosen diversions. Most of the party removed their masks and go to sleep, but Lhoss and Sergius slept with theirs on. Lhoss was raised with the tradition of Elwynn, the elven fairy of Needfest who rewards those who show their enthusiasm in participating in the frivolities of the festival. Sergius, I think, was too drunk to remove his mask at the end of the night. Regardless, both Lhoss and Sergius were rewarded with a strange piece of silver under their pillow that when held calls to mind a bird for Sergius and a loom for Lhoss. The festival continued with singing and drinking and exchanging of gifts, particularly to those who suffered losses during the year. Lalie received carved wooden spoons, Tatania received patches of dyed cloth, Lhoss received some pickled onions, Gnorcia received some peach preserves, and Sergius received some sharpened tools. On the last day, candles were lit, bells were rung, while villagers of Orlane remembered the events of the year and the festival came to a close. Several party members stayed up late to see the sun rise on the new day, then retired for some rest.

Lhoss and Tatania used their skill to identify some magic items. Lhoss examined the cursed spell book that growled at her. To her delight, the growling was simply an affectation and the book posed no ill-will. Indeed, it was an incredibly valuable spell book that was inscribed with every second-level spell known to magic users. It also contained Baltrun's Effusive Blood Boil, Drixom's Purple Haze, Galaxina's Scintillating Spark Shower, and Vitheria's Vengeful Visage. Tatania then examined the lizard scale spell book. It did have a curse which was that it will attract reptiles and reptile-like monsters as long as it is in this physical plane. It was constructed with leather lizardman's scales and had silver fittings. Tatania was delighted to discover that it contained every level-one magic user spell.

Feno claimed the gloves of dexterity. The rest of the group considered their finances and decided to travel to Hochoch in order to sell some items to raise funds for the group. In the meantime, Armatzi, Lalie, Lhoss, and Titus sought out the mayor of Orlane, Zacharias. The mayor's behavior was still somewhat off since his return to town and the group was seeking out a way to help. The mayor received the party in a somewhat detached manner. Armatzi addressed the mayor in an attempt to connect, but Zacharias just stared into the flames of the fire. Lalie cast detect evil, but none was found. After about ten minutes, the mayor turned to Armatzi and shed a tear. Lalie introduced herself and asked Zacharias to share what he experienced during his departure from Orlane. The mayor absentmindedly got up and stirred a pot of porridge. Titus asked the mayor if he has permission to cast a spell. The mayor began to protest the need for such a thing but then trailed off. Titus, taking control of the situation, cast remove fear. Slowly, some life seemed to come back to Zacharias' eyes. He seemed to remember his manners and invited the party to sit and eat with him. Slowly, he began to regain some spark of personality and chatted about the festival. Lalie once again asked about his experiences away from Orlane but he declined to elaborate. Zacharias gave Titus a heartfelt thank you and invited the holy rollers (plus Lhoss) to visit again. He seemed much improved, even if he's not completely recovered.

The next morning, the entire group set off for Hochoch. They traveled through a cold early Fireseek day and encountered a group of trappers on the road. Lalie approached them to inquire about their wares, but they were standoffish and brisk. They seemed unwilling to sell their pelts which made Lalie suspicious so she cast detect evil on them. She didn't sense that they were evil, but based on their demeanor, she gave up and left them alone. They quickly moved on. Then the party heard some hoof sounds headed toward them. They made way for three mounted messengers headed swiftly to Orlane. Lalie hailed them and while they took notice of her, they pressed on. The party continued in their own direction toward a hostel where they will spend the night.

Now, I am still worn out from the frivolities of Needfest, so your old storyteller is off for a nap! I remain your humble servant,

Vilma