Time Well Spent

[Lucius Foxhound]

Okay, Wisp. Off we go, then? Hmmm. What shall we do for light? I don't like travelling alone much, but there are some advantages to leaving our easily-frightened companions behind.

I take off my items and components and cast polymorph self. I polymorph into a revolting Green Hag.

[OOC: I'm granted Darkvision 90' with this form]

I begin to make my way into the cave.

 

[Tom Cashel]

You walk for what seems like hours. Due to the twists and turns of the narrow catacomb, you can't truly see 90' ahead, but you do your best. The cave is dry and "dead," with no dripping water or cave crickets (or other nasties...) to be seen.

Wisp is silent, content to ride upon your revolting shoulder.

As you round a bend in the passage, a figure steps out of an alcove about 20' ahead. It is a woman in a greenish-gray hooded cloak, holding a quarterstaff. You see glittering rings on her fingers, and rather well-appointed clothing. "Halt," she says. "Only those who weave spells may pass this point."

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

"Well, my dear," I screech, "a demonstration for you, then."

I cast prestigitation to create a vague image in the air of a hag strangling a woman.

 

[Tom Cashel]

She gives you a wry smile. "Charming." Then she steps aside, watching you carefully. "If you've come here seeking trouble, know that you will surely find it."

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

"I seek no trouble. In fact, I was invited to this place.. almost against my wishes. Can you help answer two rather odd questions for me ... where and what is this place?"

 

[Tom Cashel]

"This is a cave, in the Scimitar Spires east of Orofin, in the Anauroch. Any other questions you have will be answered within."

Now that you are close, you see that she has dusky, ashen skin and white eyes with milky blue pupils. Not unattractive, though.

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

"So," I say, "Do you live around these parts?"

Lucius then remembers the form he's in ... and quickly turns away.

"Uh, perhaps we'll meet again. I thank you for your assistance. Bye for now."

I move past her and continue.

 

[Tom Cashel]

Again you travel through winding tunnels for quite a long time, until a dim light begins to grow up ahead. Wisp hoots a low warning, and you slow...creeping up until overcast daylight is streaming in through the cave mouth.

You peek out.

You are on a ledge overlooking a massive crater surrounded by towering needle-like spires of orange rock. In the crater below, about forty or fifty feet down, you see a startling and awe-inspiring sight--many of them, to be exact! Throngs of people are everywhere down in the crater, of varying and spectacularly eccentric appearance. Many wear wizardly robes, but most are dressed much more flamboyantly.

There are a large number of cloth-tented stalls at the center of the crater, a circular area--nearly 200' feet across--as smooth as polished glass, an amphitheater packed with spectators, and an amazing number and variety of Leomund's Secure Shelters all clustered in one region of the crater.

Down and to the left there is a sudden dull BOOOOMMM!!! as a fireball erupts against the crater wall, answered by a cheering crowd. Then an even-larger explosion, and the crowd roars again.

A rock ledge snakes down the crater wall to your right...

Tall magic-one, hoots Wisp, What is this place?

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

Wisp, my friend. This is a Mage Fair! I've heard about them, but I've never been to one! We're in for a wonderful time. Let's go!

"Whoo hoo!" I say and jump off the ledge.

I cast Feather Fall before I hit the ground. In the air, I'd like to polymorph to my normal form.

 

[Tom Cashel]

ACT II: The Fair

I like all the different people
I like every kind of fair
In the crowd, you bet I'll be there!
Walkin' around
Going nowhere
Seeing Sooey and saints at the fair

--The Breeders, "Saints"

You see a wizard wearing nothing but a feathered snake and another one clad in dancing flames, one robed in living fungus and one garbed in a gown made of gems. One has green hair, one has a serpent's tongue, and one has eyes at the ends of tentacles that emerge from beneath a robe's heavy cowl.

And those are just the normal ones.

Above the crater, you can see that some effect holds the sandstorm at bay; dim light filters down through the whirling duststorm to light the crater itself.

The sight of a greenhag shifting into a human, floating gently to the crater floor, barely garners a glance in this place.