Session 22 - A fete-ful encounter

18/5/300 - The party spend time in the Once Proud Goose deciding on which of the items the Hall of Knowledge had available they would want to buy. The group decided they would take the offer of rooms at the Hall, gaining some permanent lodgings in the town of Baile.

Ruric Ironfoot had also been approached by Riha Runecaster about sourcing some Phase Spider silk in order to complete the magical travelling bag she was designing. 

19/5/300 - The party participated in some the events whilst partaking in the local mead and delicacies (honey glazed pastries that can be topped with a variety of spices or fruits). Heskan and Ruric had their fortunes told. Heskan first had  Eabhadh for Ea (the wood that connects the world)  and was told he should seek ways of bringing people together and that he must lead by example. Ruric had Eadhadh (Aspen) telling him to focus on his spiritual journey and ware the material. 

Ruric then engaged in a duel of wits with a surprisingly tough challenger...Door. Ashling of The Hall of Knowledge was running a stall of riddles. Door wanted Ruric to wear him on his front and move around at Door's direction f he won. Several riddles later Ruric emerged victorious....barely.

Next Braith and Heskan attempted to catch the greased pig. Both did well but Braith edged Heskan out, catching the animal on the second attempt. Later in the day she would be awarded a finely carved statue of Mare by the farmer, who respected her as the lady of beasts.

Heskan partook in the arm wrestling tournament. He first beat a local farmer but met his match in Neeve, a member of the Bright Guard. She went on to win, beating a local blacksmith from Aethelwyn's Estate.

Next Neeve and Heskan attempted the pie eating contest. Heskan 'fell' on the second pie. Neeve went on to win (and regret it). The party went and found a table, chatting with Neeve about her life. 

Ruric wrote a letter on behalf of the group to Aine Stormsword. 

Next Elnorin and Braith entered the archery contest overseen by Hrothbrand. Aethelwyn and Eseld were in attendance. Both Elnorin and Braith proceeded through the first round (hitting a target at 60 feet). Next Braith scored 10 points to proceed through to the final against Kieran (hitting targets at 120 feet, scoring points for proximity to the centre). Finally they would both shoot the target, the closest to the middle winning the event. Kieran went first, hitting dead centre. Braith then split his arrow but Kieran could not do the same. Braith won and the crowd cheered. Eseld presented Braith with an unbreakable arrow that had been enchanted by The Hall of Knowledge.

That evening the town feasted. Ruric sang dwarven songs and Braith danced. A good time was had by all. Riha Runecaster and Blaise attended the feast as community leaders.

20/5/300 - Ruric and Heskan emerged worse for ware. Only Elnorin escaped any hangover. A slightly vindictive Ruric shared his hangover with 'Bird' in retribution from when Bird was hungover.

They journeyed via the town docks to pass this to Ultana Fairweather to deliver soon. It contained details of The Hall of Knowledge, Cavernum Laci and general goings on with this information to be passed onto the queen. She also mentioned that Brottor had been part of the winning team at the informal drinking contest. He was much worse for ware and had been robbed whilst in the Black Flagon. She admitted to stealing most of his money before he left and would return it when he awoke. The group sought out Hrothbrand who told them the location of the ritual the gnolls had performed. Ruric briefly spoke with Emrys about a favour he had asked.

The journey to the ritual site to the north took most of the day. They ended up at a ransacked farm and investigated. Braith and Elnorin found the trail away, the party followed. The gnolls, the Screaming Mutilators in their own tongue, were not far off. 

Just over an hour later Braith and Elnorin spotted a gnoll camp. The party engaged and began to make quick work of them. Heskan's thunderous smite drew the attention of another nearby group which drew more gnolls, dogs, a troll, the pack leader (who was possessed by a strange, fiendish spirit) and the pack leader of the Rabid Harbingers, who had now usurped control. The battle way intense but Heskan smote the spirit and killed the gnoll. The troll was much more difficult to put down but was eventually killed by a persistent Heskan.

The party journeyed to the nearby guard camp with the intention of setting off towards Ath in the morning.