The children's eyes glow at the prospect of making a whole silver for just a few minutes' work. Such a grand amount of money! The each nod their heads eagerly, and the one girl even rushes up to Galwynn and hugs him tightly around the leg. The boys all adopt stern looks as they push up against the crowd of adults surrounding the pie. The adults are surprised at first, but then they laugh and humor the children. A woman, a little round around the edges but with a kind face, smiles at the Brigadiers. She turns to her friend and whispers something, and they both smile and laugh.
[sblock=Spot check, DC:10]The boy that Rathan recognized as a repeat beggar doesn't join the others in protecting the pie. A frown crosses his face and he disappears into the crowd.[/sblock]
The parade is fast approaching the intersection. On the right, north of the bridge that leads to the Red Dragon Plaza, is a tall, circular tower, about 60' in diameter. A sign hanging on a bar over the door reads, "Rilithorne, Mage" in large letters, and something in a smaller font below that. The pie brigade is just passing the bridge and turning left onto Allimon's street when suddenly...
BOOM!
There's a loud explosion and everybody in the crowd jumps! Rathan, startled, feels the pie slip a little in his hands, but he keeps his head on straight and maintains a sure grip. The door to the tower opens and blue fog billows out. A young man, perhaps in his mid-twenties, runs from the tower coughing and waving his hands, his eyes closed. He turns toward Allimon's Street and runs right into some of the parade members. He stumbles back and rubs his eyes, taking deep gasping breaths... He smells the pie.
All this has happened in less than 6 seconds. An enthralled look comes over the man's face as he raises his hands, the blue explosion forgotten. Rathan sees a flash of intensely bright light explode in front of his face...
Rathan should make a fortitude save. That was the surprise round, everybody roll initiative.
