After Hallstein and Corporal White finish their conversation, the Corporal hurries back to the Castle.
Boadicea continues her vigil in the stables.
Crumlin and other Acolytes arrange an impromptu straw bed for her, and also organise a rota to help guard her Mount, Shadowfast.
Gislsson sends his Kestrel Familiar for a last look around Oakham Castle. The guards on the ‘pigeon-free’ roof wave cheerfully at it.
The Castle is quiet and all shutters are closed.
The night passes peacefully (no more visions) and all spell-casting characters can choose their spells for the day of the Fayre. (N.B. please post your choices here, as it helps everyone!)
As the rising sun shines on tip of the Heimdall Temple Spire, many folk are already at work.
The gossip is that Marian (the senior Rutland Druid) has already Predicted Weather for the day to be ‘Sunny, with occasional showers’.
But even a torrential downpour is not going to stop the peasants enjoying the most exciting day of the year.
The Marketplace has been changed from its normal layout. The stalls have been moved back to make room for the events (and all carry the official licensing mark of the Fayre … a sausage in a bun!)
The colourful Maypole is complete and a couple of youths are skipping excitedly around it.
A small grandstand overlooks the packed-earth arena. It carries several insignia on banners (reading from the top downwards):
a white rose (representing Baron Thorganby Wheldrake)
a horn (representing High Priestess Edith Weston)
a mailed fist (representing Sir Guy Gisbourne)
mistletoe (representing Druid Marian)
a sausage in a bun (representing Freeman Dibbler)
Oakham Castle also flies the flag of a mailed fist, confirming that Sir Guy is in town.
Several small patrols are being inspected in the Castle courtyard, before going out to form ceremonial guards for the dignitaries (and to keep the crowds in order).
A stream of peasants can be seen walking towards Oakham from all directions. Some look dishevelled, presumably because they have been on the road for a couple of hours. There are a few wagons, packed with happy travellers waving skins (probably filled with unlicensed beverages :eek: ).
Boadicea, being somewhat more than an idiot herself, has of course thoroughly checked her mount and his feed and so on. This may include, depending on what she may or may not find during such check, taking Shadowfast out to walk around the grounds in order to check his gait and so forth.
Once she’s satisfied that all is well with Shadowfast, she’ll bed down for the night.
Whilst exercising Shadowfast, Boadicea notices (at the spot where the two ‘drunken idlers’ were lurking) some oats lying on the ground.
She examines them carefully, not letting Shadowfast near them.
Boadicea makes a Brewery Roll.
She determines the oats were laced with the dregs from brewing, which would have given any horse a stomach upset.
Then she’ll check all of the oats in the stable, especially any that may be earmarked for Shadowfast. She’ll alert the stablemaster, and so on, so none of the horses get tainted oats.
The Temple stablemaster is grateful for the warning and co-operates fully.
Crumlin says cheerfully that Shadowfast is better guarded than the High Priestess - then he blushes :o and looks round to make sure he didn’t offend anyone…
To All: I’m so sorry my post is so horribly late. I promise to do better in the future.
Bergthor would definately enter the Singing and Music events at the Faire and wager on himself and his friends, if still able to do so.
1 gold on each event his friends are entered in and another 2 gold on HP Weston’s Flower Arranging event. (DM: let me know the total wagered/lost/won)
If I’m allowed to enter these events, the morning of the Fayre, I will help Hallstein and/or Boadicea prepare for their events, as I will already have prepared my song and music.
DM: If I’m allowed, I will cast [COLOR=“blue”]Prayer on Boadicea since she is entering combat.[/COLOR]
Early in the morning, Bergthor strolls from the Temple to where Freeman Dibbler has set up an impressively decorated stall in the Marketplace.
Unlike other stalls, which have a sign showing what single purpose they are for, this has three separate symbols:
a sausage in a bun (= ‘speciality’ food)
a queue of people (= entries for Fayre events)
money changing hands (= official Fayre bookmaker)
Dibbler, wearing a chef’s hat, smiles happily as Bergthor approaches.
“Sausage in a bun, good Cleric?!”
Berthor makes a Wisdom roll.
Bergthor declines the food and explains instead he wishes to enter the Music and Singing competitions.
Dibbler replaces the chef’s hat with a straw hat (apparently this is the Fayre Secretary’s headgear) and makes a careful note. He reminds Bergthor the two events will take place in the Marketplace consecutively from 1030 onwards.
Bergthor explains he wishes to place a bet on several competitions.
Dibbler replaces the straw hat with a Wimple (he explains this shows ‘religious honesty’). He gives Bergthor the odds for his two events, then takes the bets:
Singing (also known as ‘Minstrel Idol’):
Alan A’Dale, Bergthor evens
Will ‘Warbler’ Scarlett 4-1
Fundin (dwarf miner) 20-1
all others 150-1
Music (also known as ‘Rutland’s got Talent’):
Alan A’Dale, Bergthor evens
Darius (elf MU) 5-1
Farmer Giles 25-1
all others 100-1
1 gold on Bergthor himself in Music (at Evens)
1 gold on Bergthor himself in Singing (at Evens)
1 gold on Boadicea in Jousting (at 4-1)
1 gold on Boadicea in Swordfighting (at 3-1)
1 gold on Hallstein in Swordfighting (at 5-1)
1 gold on Gislsson in Swordfighting (at 12-1)
1 gold on Gislsson in Bird of Prey (at Evens)
Dibbler apologies but mumbles he cannot accept the bet on Edith Weston in the Flower Arranging. There is to be no wagering on this event - by order of the High Priestess herself!
He cheers up by saying that he can take bets on the Debate between Crumlin and Curly. The winner will be decided by Baron Thorganby Wheldrake himself, although he will take into account the cheering for each candidate at the end.
Debate (also known as ‘Question Time’):
Curly 1-5 on
Crumlin 5-1
Bergthor can tell Dibbler is himself astonished at these odds. Dibbler mutters that the smart money went on Curly first thing ("thousands of gold on the night-watchman, Cleric - thousands!)
Finally Dibbler adds that spells cannot be cast during the competitions - and he can make a ruling if there is any doubt.
Once Hallstein hears of the odds on the matches, he’ll head on over to place a few bets.
Hallstein to Dibbler, “Hey now sir Dibbler, I’d like to do a bit o’ wagerin’. Just to show you how soft in the head I am, I’m going to wager 50gp each on milady Boadicea in the jousting, and on Crumlin in the Debate! Anything worth doing is worth doing all the way! Of course, if it looks as if there’s any cheatin involved in choosin’ a winner, I’ll be wantin’ my stake back… How you gonna determine if there’s anyone breaking the rules? If you need any muscle, I can lend a hand, don’t you know. Rule-breakers deserve to be flogged, tarred & feathered, then thrown in the stocks…with real locks! Leastwise they do when there’s wagerin’ involved.”
I’ll review my spells when I get home, and post any changes in my spell slots, if any.
“No need to call me Sir! I hear you don’t like to be called Squire either, so we’ve got that in common.
I remember when I started in this business with just a couple of buns and some mouldy old…”
Dibbler abruptly pauses and changes the subject.
“Oh, but your time is valuable. You don’t want to hear my ramblings!”
He whips on his wagering Wimple and notes down Hallstein’s bets.
“So that’s 50 gold on Warder Boadicea in the Jousting at 4-1 and 50 gold on Acolyte Crumlin in the debate at 8-1.
You have an eye for the odds all right.
Now you mention despicable cheating. Well my advice is to keep a sharp lookout and point out any miscreants. Loudly! The Baron won’t stand for any bad behaviour.”
Dibbler then picks up three oranges and begins juggling (he’s quite good).
He leans forwards and says carefully to Hallstein “The more I practise, the better I get.”
Nobody better tell Boadicea how much Hallstein wagered on her; she’ll faint dead away. Or something. GRIN
The morning of the fayre, Boadicea will attend morning prayers/services and have a light breakfast with the Temple’s staff/priests, after seeing that Shadowfast is well cared-for and well fed.
Then she’ll find out where she’s supposed to be and when for the various events, and make her final preparations.
Boadicea feels very happy after the service - clearly she and the party are doing the right thing.
The Jousting and the Swordfighting both take place in the Marketplace. The Jousting is on at 0930 (after the Morris Dancing, which Crumlin has entered with his troupe).
Boadicea sees the other three Jousters are also preparing with their Squires.
Sir Guy ignores her completely (but Corporal White winks at her).
Lance Little comes over and greets her correctly: “I wish you good fortune, Warder, and may the best Knight win.” His Squire, Gah Wayne, gives Hallstein a thumbs-up.
Farmer Giles has a booming voice: “Good luck, Miss! At least the ground’s soft if we come off!” His Squire, Garm, looks a bit overawed.
“Good fortune, good sir,” Boadicea responds to Lance with a slight bow.
She chuckles at Farmer Giles’ observation but privately thinks that ground is never soft. “And good luck to you, sir. You’ve a fine squire, I see.”
And, determined that none shall fault her courtesy, she will call a “Good fortune, Sir Guy,” to him. She just can’t bring herself to use “My lord” as an honorific for him.
Lance bows politely in return and moves off to check his horse - which looks to be a Heavy Warhorse in fair condition.
Farmer Giles sniffs the air. “Ah, it’ll be a pleasant morning.” he comments.
He is riding a hefty Shire Horse. Boadicea thinks the horse can easily take the weight of an armoured rider, but will struggle to get up any speed.
Sir Guy moves one hand a fraction. Presumably he is either acknowledging Boadicea or brushing a fly aside.
He has an expensive-looking Heavy Warhorse.
The rules for the Jousting are now posted and also announced by the Oakham Town Crier:
the event will be a knockout with two semi-finals and a final
the draw for opponents will be made by lot
the semi-finals will be a single clash; the final will be best-of-three bouts
as always, no spell-casting is permitted; this is a test of martial skill
two Temple Clerics will be on hand for any healing needed.
Baron Thorganby Wheldrake, who has already arrived, makes the semi-final draw.
In the first bout Sir Guy will face Lance Little.
Then Boadicea will face Farmer Giles.
There will then be a short break before the final.
Just posting a note that the hubby and I are out of town until Sunday afternoon and won’t have internet access – shockingly, some of our family members manage to survive without it. So as not to interrupt any game play, Boadicea can be assumed to be making preparations for her meet and encouraging her party in their own competitions in the meantime.
When the jousting begins, Boadicea is ready for her meet.
I haven’t posted in a while and wanted my spells for today to be current so here they are:
Cure Light Wounds x3
Detect Magic x1
Indentify x1
Augury x1
Spirit Hammer x2
Speak Animals xa
Silence x1
Dispel Magic x1
Prayer x1
After signing up for his events and placing his wagers, Berg will make a point to talk to all his companions, separately if needed, and tell them:
Bergthor: Keep an eye out even while competing. Dibbler told me that thousands of gold was wagered last night on Curly’s victory in the debate. I don’t like Sir Guy and have no reason to trust anything he says or does. I also question his williness to agree to this debate. Make sure we are alert and prepared for anything.
Hallstein will watch for any signs of foul play or cheating of any kind. At least while he’s present. Given all he’s learned about the events, he’ll try to choose the most opportune time to go investigate the castle. He will try to leave the fayre unobserved, and, obviously, remain unobserved as he determines the best way into the castle. Once he’s figured the way in, he’ll proceed with all caution.
Side note: I need to know the effects/duration of the Invisibility scroll that I have. The spells effects have changed somewhat over the years…
[COLOR=“Blue”]Invisibility (from either spell or scroll) lasts the shorter of:
until the start of the next day
until the user does something aggressive (e.g. fighting, casting an attacking spell)
Note that skeletons and zombies are not affected by Invisibility (since the spell is mind-based and these undead have no real mind - they merely obey orders).[/COLOR]
Hallstein knows that Gislsson has offered him:
the use of an Unseen Servant, which last for 4 hours. It can open doors, carry things(up to 20lbs), untie people and even set off traps (especially magical ones). N.B. Blowing a trap destroys the spell.
that his kestrel familiar will keep a eye on Hallstein (as long as there are unshuttered windows).
to distract the gate guards using a Ventriloquism spell. It only lasts for one round, but they are not likely to save!
Hallstein (with Gislsson waiting discreetly outside the Castle) had planned to make his move after the Archery event, which finishes by 12.30.
Hallstein would have a full hour before he was needed back (to do Special Events* with Gislsson).
No doubt Hallstein and Gislsson would explain their absence (if anyone noticed) by saying they were rehearsing their Special Events.
*Gislsson has suggested that he and Hallstein can put on an act like, a talking kestrel, a skeleton dancing and telling jokes, maybe a kestrel ordering drinks (if there is a beer tent) and sing the Crumlin theme song.
Hallstein says to Gislsson, "An excellent idea! We can work out the details of our ‘cover act’ during the day, so that we’ll be all set once the event comes up.
When the time is right, I’ll nip into the castle. My first priority is to find the missing workers so we can be sure they’re still alright, and also to see what nefarious things Sir Guy may be constructing."
[COLOR=“Green”]When given an opportunity, Hallstein will slip away to talk to Dibbler, presumably about further wagers. When he sees Dibbler, he’ll tell him, [COLOR=“Black”]“When you mentioned all that stuff about getting better with practise, I got disctracted before I could tell you that my sling trainer said that too! Small world, ain’t it? Some things are true no matter who ye are!”
Hallstein will spend what time he is not preparing with Gislsson insuring that no funny business is occurring. To wit; he’ll watch for any unexpected attacks, especially on party members and Crumlin, he’ll keep an eye on things in general to try and spot pickpockets, plotters, schemers, etc. using his appropriate talents in Ambush, Alertness, Hear Noise, and Read Lips. If there is anything afoot, he wants to know about it!
Once he and Gislsson sneak off to the castle, he’ll gladly accept the help of Gislsson’s Unseen Servant and kestrel as described above.
Hallstein’s plan is essentially:
Gain entry into the castle without being seen. If the castle entry is open, but guards are standing about, then the scroll of Invisibility may be the simplest means of ingress. If he must climb a wall in an inconspicuous place to gain access to an outer window, he’ll proceed that way, using his thieving abilities to open the shutters if needed, and the Unseen Servant if he’s confirmed no traps are present.
Once inside the castle, he must find the missing workers to assertain their safety as well as the project they’ve been working on. If they are being held against their will, Hallstein will pick locks, disable traps, and so on as needed to set them free. He will stick to the shadows (Hide in Shadows) as much as possible, and begin looking for them in the lower levels first.
Once the status of the workers has been determined, Hallstein will look about the remaining areas of the castle that he can safely navigate, using his thieving abilities as needed to hide, sneak, disarm, listen, etc.
Get as much information as possible about the goings-on inside the castle (worshipping of evil gods, evil ceremonies, etc.) before returning with a few minutes to spare for his next event.
[/COLOR]
