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The Lamentation of Lolth - Chapter V

As the group moves on towards the festival good fortune is upon them, as they encounter no more danger on the way. Soon Mellorn guards are seen patrolling the roads with increasing frequency. Some look to Gharlef with concern but he waves them off, preferring to continue towards the city.

Entering the outskirts of the fair, ornate wooden buildings on platforms can be seen, suspended high in the trees, barely hidden in the canopy above. Quick glimpses of thin, wide-eyed faces of wood elf children staring down at you can be seen occasionally as you pass by, the faces of these children wrapped tight with the same cloth as Gharlef.

The sounds of hundreds of voices up ahead are added to the creaking of Therav's wagon.

Hundreds of people fill a large clearing in the forest. They talk excitedly, laughing and shouting greetings to friends they apparently haven't seen for several years. A large wooden gazebo at the center of the clearing is filled with chairs and tables and covered by a pointed roof of woven vines and leaves. Sunlight pours in through the large break in the ancient canopy above, shining off of dozens of colorful canvas stalls and tents set up in concentric circles around the clearing. Shoppers are already making deals, and everyone seems to be drinking or eating something.

Mellorn guards watch from platforms high in the trees, all around the edge of the clearing, and a large cluster of elevated Mellorn buildings is visible within the forest to the south. One in particular stands out above the rest; a breathtaking structure of crystal, glass, and living wood, the outline of which merges into the surrounding woods with graceful ease.

The Mellorn have set up tables of food just inside the woods behind the traders' stalls. A single wood elf stands behind each table, each filled with every sort of food and drink the forest can provide: cuts of boar and deer roasted with rare spices and wild root vegetables, fruits, shelled nuts, wine and beer made from mosses and wildflowers. All of it seems to be free for the taking, and the wood elves seem happy to see it go. Most fairgoers take the food with them and continue shopping or find a seat in the gazebo.

Gharlef politely excuses himself, indicating he will be at the healers, having his wounds tended.

Therav immediately begins searching for a good spot to set up his stall and camp, and asks Calenthang to come help hold poles while he sets stakes. Unfortunately, the only open spots that are left are those near the rim of the clearing, which appear to upset the merchant considerably. Nontheless, with Calenthang's help and anyone else that wishes to assist him, he sets up his stall and raises a large tent behind it, almost inside the woods.

"You all are welcome to sleep in my tent with me if you wish. If not, there are a number of large community tents set up over there if you prefer," he motions towards a one of the many large tents erected throughout the clearing.

"Please, go enjoy yourselves. The festival will last seven days and until I am ready to leave I doubt I will need much protection, so until then you may go about as you please."
 
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Helping with the erection of the tent, Dunstand makes small banter with Calenthang. “I must say dear calenthang, you people make magnificent sights. If seen a lot of the lands, but nothing like this splendor.”
 

Calenthang helps Therav without complaint, and decides to stay in Therav's tent for his nights here; preferring to be away from the larger noisier community tents during Reverie.
He reddens, whether in anger or embarrassment cannot be discerned, at Dunstand's remark about the Mellorn.
"Woodelves as a whole tend to remain antisocial and aloof, friend Dunstand. This type of festival is not seen where I am from, and I am just as much impressed by these sights as you," he says politely.
 

Drogo

"Wow. This is quite a place. Anyone up for walk around? It looks safe enough, but based on our experiences since we've met, I'd prefer we stuck together for awhile longer. I'd be on the market for a good sling, and maybe a sharp scimitar. And who knows what else we might find."
 


"I will stay here," Calenthang says quietly, his former enthusiasm about the wood elf festival seemingly gone. "I'm sure I can be of assistance to friend Therav," he says in explanation.
 

~Verbatim's actions:

Ayden will try to escort Gharlef to the healers and speak to them about his injuries, as well as what he had try to do to help the injured hunter.

Afterwards, Ayden will try to convince Calenthang that he needs better armor and if the group is willing to part with the coins we have amassed, take the elf out shopping for some MW Scale Mail. If they find some made that Calenthang likes (insert elvish design here), Ayden will try to haggle with him, as if there was one thing that his family taught him, it is that merchants love to haggle. (Diplomacy check)

Ayden will also keep his eyes out for a merchant to whom he can sell the MW Kama to, perhaps the same merchant he buys the armor from.

After all the shopping is completed, Ayden will help the merchant set up his shop, asking questions about the gathering and also speaking to the merchant about the benefits of adopting Finder's dogma to his crafting of his wares. Ayden will not try to be "preachy", but to stress that a true artist such as himself should see that with Finder's blessings his craft could be greatly improved, as could his own personal life.

Before settling down for the night, Ayden will break out his violin and play for those around him, and if the chance is given, will also speak to those gathered about the joys of hearing Finder's music in their lives.

When the dawn breaks, Ayden will pray for his spells as normal.

~

Ayden's offer to escort Gharlef to the healer gives the guard pause for a moment, but he nods slowly and accepts his help. Once there Gharlef is treated and Ayden meets the city's chief cleric, Tho'correl. The cleric thanks Ayden for rescuing Gharlef as he heal's the elf, and tells him to feel free to visit him if any aid is ever needed.

The tent and stall being already raised upon his return, Ayden's proposal though seems to set a gleam in Therav's eyes, as if any improvement that could be brought to his wares would be welcome, as would the increased profit resulting from such "blessings".

OoC: The shopping actions are pending for right now awaiting everyone's approval about Ayden's ideas about what to buy/sell.
 

Sielwoodan is releive to see that nothing bad had happned after the dissapearance of the girl.

"I think Felmir need some rest. I'll go find a place for him. I have a cousin who used to travel here every year, I'll try to find him. I'll catch you at Therav's tent later..."

OOC: Safe arrival... I am in a cybercafé, so I don' t know yet what will be my possibilities to visit the game... so Sielwoodan will be away until I got to know how frequently I can be here.
 

Calenthang is at first hesitant to bother replacing his armor, but Ayden convinces him in short order with his usual charm and not to mention Calenthang's secret wish to wander about the festival.

(OOC: This is of course assuming that my wonderful and gracious group will spare a few measly coin for their strongest and, right now, only tank. Oh yes, I went there :D )
 
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After setting up the merchants stall, Dunstand wanders the festival to look for some crafted daggers and sample some of the spirits.

ooc: No I will not share my piece of the horde. I’m going to save up for a flying monkey :cool:
 

Into the Woods

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