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.