Gislsson Will enter him self in the bird of pray, Swordplay and Archery contests and place 3gps on all the events that party members are entered in.
He also is fine with Hallstein’s plan and will load spells accordingly.
(N.B. Hallstein and Gislsson need to say which spells they are loading today.)
Hallstein soon spots Dibbler (wearing his wagering Wimple) accepting Gislsson’s bets on Fayre events:
3 gold on Gislsson himself in Archery (at 3-1)
3 gold on Gislsson himself in Swordfighting (at 12-1)
3 gold on Gislsson himself in Bird of Prey (at Evens)
3 gold on Boadicea in Jousting (at 4-1)
3 gold on Boadicea in Swordfighting (at 3-1)
3 gold on Hallstein in Swordfighting (at 5-1)
3 gold on Bergthor in Music (at Evens)
3 gold on Bergthor in Singing (at Evens)
As Gislsson sets off to prepare for his events, he and Hallstein exchange friendly nods.
Hallstein’s remark to Dibbler about his sling trainer also believing in getting better through practice is met by a careful nod and a smile.
Dibbler removes his Wimple and starts telling Hallstein about the difficulties of organising the Fayre, but how rewarding it all is at the end of the day. Meanwhile his hands are moving in the secret language of Thieves Cant!
Hallstein learns that:
- Dibbler has been in ‘deep cover’ for some time (observing Sir Guy) and will not take any action that might risk revealing who he really is
- Dibbler has an efficient message system and can quickly pass information back to the Nottingham Thieves Guild (Hallstein briefs him on the events so far)
- Dibbler can also find things out for Hallstein by the same system
- Dibbler advises Hallstein that Sir Guy values winning at the Fayre incredibly highly and congratulates Hallstein, Boadicea and Gislsson for taking him on
- in particular, Dibbler suggest that Hallstein conceals his abiltiy to fight with two short swords unless he is matched against Sir Guy
It is now nearly 0900 (by the sundial) and the Marketplace arena is packed.
In the Grandstand all the nobles and organisers are present (Baron Thorgunby Wheldrake, High Priestess Edith Weston, Sir Guy Gisbourne, Druid Marian and Freeman Dibbler).
The excited crowds of peasants, freemen and merchants are kept safely back by simple wooden and rope barriers.
There are guards at regular intervals manning the barriers. Alongside Sir Guy’s men are well-disciplined troops from Baron Wheldrake’s retinue (they are all wearing the white rose symbol).
The Town Crier announces the rules for all spectators:
- no spell casting on competitors without permission
- no entering the playing area
- both the Baron and Sir Guy are supplying security … tell them if you see any foul play
He then brings a cheer by stating that the first event (Morris Dancing) will start shortly.
There are four teams entered:
- Oakham Temple (Crumlin’s troupe and defending champions)
- Oakham Castle (a mixture of Sir Guy’s men and the ‘Merry Monk’ pub regulars)
- Uppingham (town team)
- Empingham (a surprise entry from a Lizardman colony)
Dibbler offers the Baron a velvet bag, containing 4 engraved balls. The Baron plunges his hand in to make the draw and reveals the first semi-final is Oakham Temple v Empingham.
With the party keeping a close eye on everyone, Crumlin’s smartly dressed team line up to shake hands with the Lizardmen.
There are many cheers for Crumlin and his men, with a few murmurs of surprise (as the Lizardmen have not competed before).
Gislsson Will introduce himself and what he does for a living to the Lizardmen and ask why they entered this year and what are there other interests are.
(lizardmen have a tendancy to know thing that they aren’t allowed to know)
Crumlin’s Oakham Temple team comfortably defeat the Empingham Lizardmen, but both sides thoroughly enjoy the Morris Dancing contest.
In the other semi-final match, Uppingham go through to the final as Oakham Castle are disqualified for kicking and swearing. (Sir Guy Gisbourne protests to no avail and storms off to the pub.)
So Oakham Temple will face Uppingham in the final.
The Lizardmen are delighted to meet someone who speaks their language. They chat happily to Gislsson and reveal:
- they’ve recently migrated here from Freeport (a port to the South)
- they want to fit in and make friends in Rutland, so they thought they’d try Morris Dancing. They heard of the sport from Crumlin (he once cured one of them after an accident.)
- they really miss their eels, which were their favourite delicacy in Freeport!
- they do have a small problem, and would be grateful for some help (it’s a little embarrassing, so they ask it be kept confidential)
P.S. What are the spells Gislsson is loading today?!
· Did this “accident” have something to do with a troll, a meat tendoriser and a lizardman called Colin? 
· Gislsson will talk to the druids a see if he can get them some freshwater eels.
· He will also offer to help with their problem and if they say yes he will keep it on a need to know basis.
Boadicea is still preparing for her contests – jousting and swordplay.
The Lizardmen look puzzled. Since their diet is mainly fish, they don’t use a meat tenderiser.
There is no Lizardman called ‘Colin’ in either the Empingham or Freeport colonies. ‘Pssthpok’, ‘Al’, ‘Tybald’ and ‘Sem’ are popular names…
The Lizardmen do remember a nasty trick that someone played on them. They were left a package of ‘frozen fish’ once. Fortunately they decided to defrost it outside their cave - since when it warmed up, it regenerated into a Troll! :smack:
The Lizardmen explain to Gislsson that they are experiencing flooding problems in their cave at Empingham and that their colony leader, Pssthpok, is not doing anything about it.
Since the excess water is turning nearby farming fields into boggy ground, they don’t want to get blamed for it.
Gislsson is still deciding what spells to load…
As Oakham Temple comfortably defeat Uppingham in the Morris Dancing final (a popular victory for Crumlin), Boadicea, Hallstein, Bergthor and Hallstein are on alert.
Boadicea briefly Detects Evil, but in the moving crowd it’s impossible to say exactly who it was.
Hallstein makes a **Hear Noise **roll.
He picks out of the many conversations nearby someone asking “Is that Crumlin leading the Oakham Morris Dancers? He’s running for Sheriff, isn’t he?”
The speaker is a male human wearing armour under a cloak.
At this point another human wearing leather armour strolls up and joins the conversation. (After a moment Hallstein learns the chap in armour is called Boris and the newcomer is Charlie.)
Having stared carefully at Crumlin, Boris and Charlie move away a little. They start muttering to each other.
Hallstein fails a Read Lips roll (perhaps because he’s still deciding what spells to load!)
He sees that Boris and Charlie have finished whispering and are slowly moving off in different directions.
Meanwhile Bergthor finds the hairs on the back of his neck are rising…
Gislsson will load the following spells:
1st
1x [COLOR=“Blue”]shield
1x unseen servant
1x ventriloquism
2nd
1x Melf’s acid arrow
1x invisibility [/COLOR]
he will also will tell the lizardmen that his friend John Smith can ask the people of Upper Hambleton if they will allow lizardmen to fish in Rutland water by their self or pay the fishermen to buy eel’s
(but no promises can be made)
Hallstein confirms he would like to take control of Gilsson’s Unseen Servant for the duration (3 hours) after it is cast.
The Lizardmen are pleased by Gislsson’s offer of help finding eels and offer to pay in gems! 
They show Gislsson some gems and ask if he can value them (or knows someone reliable who can).
In the Grandstand the prize for the Morris Dancing is presented to Crumlin by Baron Wheldrake. The big crowd show their appreciation by first cheering, then singing Crumlin’s election song:
(Chorus)
Why vote for Crum-lin - I’ll tell you why
A vote for Curly is a vote for Sir Guy!
Sir Guy can be seen scowling in the background and swigging from a wine bottle.
Meanwhile the Town Crier announces the next event (‘gather ye in the Marketplace for the Jousting!’) and Sir Guy suddenly realises he is up first. He lobs the bottle at a guard and scurries to the arena to face Lance Little.
The first pass is a draw, as both competitors break their lances.
Boadicea, watching closely, reckons Sir Guy has the better mount and this is confirmed as Sir Guy wins the next pass and advances to the final.
Boadicea, assisted by ‘Squire’ Hallstein, mounts Shadowfast to face the red-faced tubby figure of Farmer Giles on his lumbering Shire horse.
The two mounts stare at each other before the Baron gives the signal to charge.
Shadowfast seems somewhat lethargic as the two ride towards each other (worrying Boadicea a bit), but the Paladin wins the bout comfortably.
As Farmer Giles staggers to his feet to congratulate her, Boadicea realises Shadowfast had assessed the Shire horse, decided the bout was an easy win and kept secret just how powerful he is.
Between rounds, Boadicea will praise Shadowfast – rewarding him for a job well done, and so on, gives him a bit of apple or carrot if she has it.
Gislsson’s [COLOR=“Blue”]Unseen Servant will actually last for 4 hours.
Appraisal is the proficiency for valuing stuff like gems.[/COLOR]
As the final of the Jousting (Boadicea v Sir Guy) is being prepared, competitors for the next event (Bird of Prey) are called to the grandstand for the draw.
Bird of Prey is another specialised event, so the only competitors are:
Gislsson (with kestrel* Familiar)
Druid Marian (with kestrel*)
Farmer Giles (with hawk)
Hagrid (with kestrel*)
*all these kestrels came from the breeding colony at Rutland Water.
Gislsson is drawn against Hagrid and Marian will face Farmer Giles.
Hagrid is a huge, bearded cheerful chap, who greets Gislsson with a hearty handshake. Hagrid has several scratches on his cheek, left shoulder and left arm.
Farmer Giles bows respectfully to Druid Marian, who smiles cheerfully back. She gives her opponents a few Goodberries - to help cure his bumps and bruises from the Jousting.