The Lucky Monkey

25 November, 595

Instead of resting longer to recover lost spells, the group pushes onward. As they travel along the edge of the jungle, they notice a pack of baboons following them alongside the treeline. This happens multiple times during the journey, but nothing else interesting happens.

As they get close to the roadhouse, Sonja scouts ahead to investigate. She reports that a skirmish was fought at the inn and a pile of dead bodies are around back of the building. She also mentions that a pair of dinosaurs are feasting on the corpses.

The group avoids the dinosaurs and finds shelter for their horses in the stables. Hearing noises and carousing, they break their way into the inn using a side door and Salla's axe. They find the inside of the building in disarray and can make out drunken voices coming from the common room. Bursting in, they catch a group of hillfolk and rogue-types off-guard. Once they figure out that the party doesn't belong there, they move about to attack. It is a long battle, but the opponents are killed without too much trouble, and a girl is taken captive. She reveals that the "monkey-man" is in the kitchen and he likely has killed Sarcem. Baxtor pushes her forward toward the kitchen but she resists and attempts to fight free. Baxtor knocks her silly with his mace, and Sonja finishes the job by impaling the girl on her sword.

Some noises are heard from a private dining room, and they find a man and a woman making whoopee on the table. Alastriel grabs their equipment away before they can reach it, and they surrender, still naked. The two are questioned and the man is not very cooperative until Salla bashes his knees with a mace. From that they learn that the monkey man is a werebaboon named Tongueeater, and that he has supposedly already slain the high priest. The thugs were hired by a woman named Triel, who rumor has it was a former town guard member. Tongueeater's job was to assassinate Sarcem, and they were to help him do it. The two are tied to a chair and left in the room. A message is sent to Jenya using the feather token:

Sarcem killed by Tongueeater. Woman Triel from town guard responsible.

A plot is hatched to assault the kitchen from 3 sides. Alastriel and Sonja are to approach from the skybridge, and the others will come in from the side doors when they hear a fireball go off. Alastriel and Sonja have to creep along the bridge to avoid being seen by the baboons in the courtyard below. Alastriel drinks a potion of Invisibility to help her out. Unfortunately they make some noise as they cross and the monkeys become excited.

Alastriel throws her fireball and the rest of the group pours into the room, now facing off against 8 crazed baboons and a large man with a baboon head. In one hand he holds a large falchion, and in the other a severed human head. He drinks a potion and becomes blurry, then gives a loud scream. But Baxtor casts a spell which causes the creature to fall unconscious for a short time. This proves fortuitous as the fighters in the group stab furiously with their weapons. In the meantime, Alastriel gets mauled by a monkey while sniping from the bridge. Sonja rushes to her aid but not before the wizardess loses consciousness. Finally, Tongueeater is defeated and the remaining baboons disperse. Alastriel is revived.

Avoidance

24 November, 595

The group stocks up on a week's worth of rations and heads out on horseback. Sonja rides out in front, and after awhile comes back with the news that she has picked up the tracks of several hill people ahead on the road, traveling in the same direction on foot. After some discussion, it is agreed that Sonja will attempt to distract the wildlings and lead them away from the road while the rest of the group hightails it on their horses. The plan works out well and Sonja soon rejoins the group.

Before they get to the edge of the jungle, the party decides to make camp. During the night a wyvern takes the watch by surprise and leaves Serro with a nasty sting or two. However, the creature soon realizes it is outmatched and attempts to fly away. With many well place arrow and crossbow shots, the wyvern is brought down. Salla claims the stinger as a prize. The rest of the night is uneventful.

The Flood Festival, Part 2

21-24 November, 595

Day 5

Salla decides to participate in the horseshoe contest but ends up embarassing himself by losing to a 14-year-old kid. The boy immediately goes over to his friends to boast that he beat the "great" Salla.

In the afternoon, Serro hits the periodicals at Bluecrater Academy, in hope of uncovering some dirt about the members of the Stormblades. The rest of the party head over to the Coy Nixie, with the intent of scoping out the place where the Demonskar Ball is going to be held. Dressed as they are, they are obviously given odd looks, and are rudely applauded when they finally leave the place.

That evening, Salla receives a warm welcome at his home turf as the semi-finals of the DDTF contest begins. The drink is an elvish beverage that resembles quicksilver, and in the first matchup, Asfelkir beats Cora Lathenmire easily. Next up is Salla and Zachary Aslaxin. Baxtor and Alastriel both put money on their friend to win. They match each other pretty well drink for drink, and in fact the result is very close, as both contestants pass out on the floor after the seventh drink. However, Zach is declared the winner because he lasted a few seconds longer than Salla. The room is quite disappointed to see their hero lose. Afterwards, Todd Vanderboren stops by to taunt the group, and Annah Taskerhill gives a seemingly insincere congratulations. A funny moment occurs when Alastriel realizes she does not have enough cash to cover her bet. So when Salla's entourage moves to help him up, she sneaks in and takes Salla's coin purse. Fortunately for her, she is not noticed, and she is able to pay off her debt.

Day 6

The next morning is the spear throwing contest, which Baxtor performs terribly at. The competition is won by a tall red-headed female named Sonja, who earns an expertly made spear as a prize. Alastriel sees potential and approaches her about future employment. Sonja expresses interest and explains that she is from a tribe located to the northwest of Cauldron and has been ranging about the area's wilderness for the past couple of years. She agrees to meet the group in a few days, when they epect to head back down to Drakthar's lair.

That night at the DDTF contest Asfelkir goes up against Zach Aslaxin. Baxtor bets on his master to win in round 4. Despite being odds on favorite to win the competition, the high priest shows up to the contest already drunk, figuring to give his opponent more of a fighting chance. It works, because the competition is definitely close, but Asfelkir prevails in the end, winning in round 4 (to Baxtor's pleasure). It is announced that he will go on to face Lord Vhalantru in a final drink-off, with 500gp at stake.

Day 7

The group spends the morning exploring under the bathhouse. They obtain the keys from a sergeant of the City Guard, and fill in some blank areas on their map. At one point, a blob of green slime drops from the ceiling and burns through Baxtor's armor and flesh, leaving him in bad shape. Alastriel is able to clear the slime off of the cleric, and the dangerous creature is burned and left alone. The group returns to the surface and Baxtor pays the Temple of Lordly Might to cure him.

The final DDTF event is held at the Coy Nixie, and the drink is a very expensive and rare beverage called Unicorn Wine. Asfelkir puts up a good fight, and downs 10 glasses before he concedes, perceiving that Vhalantru hasn't even broken a sweat. So once again, the champion fails to win the challenge against the nobleman and the purse is left unclaimed. After the contest, Vhalantru offers a round of drinks on him. Salla goes to the bar to claim his glass of Unicorn Wine, but is laughed at, and is offered some house wine instead. Furious, the dwarf refuses to drink it and demands service, though he is subsequently ignored. Alastriel eagerly takes Salla's glass and orders another.

Salla approaches Vhalantru to socialize and finds the man polite and complimentary. The noble commends Salla and his group on what they have done for the city thus far and asks if they have a name. Salla answers that they are calling themselves the "Lords of Chaos," and Vhalantru seems to be pleased with that choice. He again thanks him and says that he looks forward to seeing them at the ball.

The group is also approached by the Captain of the guard, and he offers them jobs as security enforcers at the Closing Ceremonies tomorrow. He explains that the guard force is stretched thin and that they would be paid for their efforts.

Day 8

The next morning the group is met at the Drunken Morkoth by Sonja. She seems armed and equipped and ready to set out. She's a bit disappointed when told they won't be adventuring underground just yet, but seems content to help out with guard duty for the time being.

Reporting for duty, the group is given temporary uniforms and explained what they are to do. The event starts with much fanfare, but then the crowd is bewildered to hear from an offical that the cermony has been postponed. The group members see that Jenya is up by the stage and looks distraught, and has quickly jotted something down on a piece of paper.

Alastriel approaches Jenya and she asks her and the rest of the group to accompany her to the temple. There, she explains that Sarcem Delesharn, the head priest of the Temple of St. Cuthbert, had undertaken a journey to Sasserine to obtain the wands of water control needed to hold back the flooding of the lake. For their own reasons, the other churches in Cauldron could not, or would not help in creating the wands necessary for the event. Sarcem was due back yesterday but did not arrive. Just before the ceremony was set to begin, she received a magic message from the cleric, saying that he is in immediate danger and has been ambushed at the Lucky Monkey. Jenya hopes the heroes will head out immediately and help save Sarcem and the wands. She offers a reward of 5000gp if they can accomplish this. After accepting, the group is equipped with horses, and healing potions. They obtain a map of the inn, and Sonja is asked to accompany them. She explains that it is an 8 hour ride through rough hillside and lowlands, before arriving at the Lucky Monkey at the edge of the jungle.

The group decides to head out that afternoon without delay.

The Flood Festival

17-20 November, 595

Day 1

On the first day of the Flood Festival, the party is approached in the common room of the Drunken Morkoth by the four members of the Stormblades; Annah Taskerhill, Cora Lathenmire, Todd Vanderboren, and Zachary Aslaxin II. Annah approaches the table and delivers each member an invitation to the prestigious Demonskar Ball, an annual costume gala that marks the end of the Flood Festival. It is clear that there is no love lost between the two groups, and a few barbs are exchanged before the Stormblades exit the scene.

The Ball is a celebration of the Founders of Cauldron and their victory over the invading Demonskar army. The invites indicate that each of our heroes are to come dressed as a Demon Invader. In addition, Baxtor has received the coveted "horned" invitation, indicating that he is to play a role as the head demon Nabthatoron in the final skit.

Both Baxtor and Salla hastily sign up for the Drink Down the Flood Competition, then the group heads off to Sarleens Silks & Finery to rent their costumes:

• Salla ends up with a small demonic fly outfit with red eyes, long fangs, four torn transparent wings, and green claws
• Serro takes the costume with the bat wings and horned hair band, trident, and green and red face paint
• Baxtor rents the horned head, clawed gloves, black pants, top, and cloak, as well as the Nabthatoron costume
• Alastriel takes the succubus outfit with bat wings, tight low-cut black body suit, small red horns, and red sword
• Kyladrian opts for the horned skeleton suit with stilts and a scythe

After that the group rents out a coach, and signs up for etiquette, dance, and music lessons (for Serro).

In the morning's sport event Baxtor and Salla compete in the hammer throw, but it is won by a man named Morgan. The hammer is huge and heavy, made of iron with a great stone on the end of a 6-foot shaft.

Next a stop at Skie's, where the objects previously dropped off have been identified:

• Quiver of Ehlonna, which can hold 60 arrows, 18 javelins, and 6 bows without weighing any more
• Necklace of Fireballs - 1x6d6, 2x4d6, 2x2d6
• Feather Token - can be used once to deliver a message to a designated target as would a carrier pigeon
• Mail shirt +2

They also drop off a few other items for identification.

In the evening Salla and Baxtor compete in the first round of the Drink Down the Flood (DDTF) competition, hosted at the Tipped Tankard. Salla easily dispatches of his opponent, but Baxtor is not so lucky, and passes out before his competitor does. To everyone's surprise, Asfelkir, the head cleric of the Temple of Lordly Might is competing this year, and he is the early odd's on favorite to win the tournament.

Day 2

The next day is more of the same. Baxtor and Salla compete in the weightlifting games in the morning. Baxtor falters after attempting to lift a lead ingot, but Salla gets farther, failing with the anvil and eventually losing in one of the final rounds.

In the evening Salla squares off against his opponent in the second round of the DDTF, this time held at his home turf, the Drunken Morkoth. There is a small but growing cheering section awaiting him, and they are quite pleased when he wins his way to the next round.

Day 3

The morning's event is the Tug-o-War. Baxtor, Salla, and Kyladrian grab one end of the rope and after a fierce battle, manage to bring their opponents down into the pit of mud. The next round they find themselves pitted against the Stormblades. After a few jibes are exclaimed, the tugging begins and the rope immediately snaps, disqualifying both teams. There are some suspicians as to how this happened, and Salla examines the rope, but no clear evidence of foul play is uncovered.

The 3rd round of the DDTF is held at the Laughing Horse Inn. Salla's following has grown, and traveled. There is much celebration and plenty of money changes hands when Salla again pulls through with a libatious victory.

Day 4

In the morning, Kyladrian, Serro, and Alastriel take their chances at the archery tournament. Kyladrian bows out the first round, and Alastriel makes a run for it, making it to the quarterfinals, but it is little Serro that impresses the crowd, facing off against a grizzled ranger in the final round, and finishing in second place.

It's the 4th round of the DDTF, and Salla faces off against a member of the town guard at the Slippery Eel Tavern. The drink is a dwarven spirit called Firebite, and he holds his ground, drinking his opponent under the table and advancing to the semi finals. Chants of "Salla! Salla!" can be heard through the crowd.