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11 Razas, AM 806 - Fun and Games and Monsters from the Flames!
| Score: 1189 | 5/22/23 |
After a light rain falling in the night, the day of the Harvest Festival dawns clear and crisp. Some Marianites worried the weather would not cooperate but their fears are allayed at the sight of the cheerful autumn sun. By late morning, townsfolk are putting the final touches on the town square, preparing for the festivities. Soon, colorful bunting hangs from storefronts and along the Town Hall portico. Great piles of firewood sit by the stone steps, ready for the evening's bonfire. The last tables and benches from the inn are arranged in the street, waiting for the shared feast. Everyone is so excited!
Lon and Galen help set up multicolored tents around the square and haul hay bales to use for casual seating. Keeping her distance, Hanette brings out platters of food - part of the tavern's contribution to the feasting. She's clearly distraught at the sight of Lon but Tali makes a point of speaking to her, comforting her in a brotherly fashion. Then he must scurry off to prepare for the hours of music he and his fellow musicians will be playing throughout the festival. And Razik? He seems to be everywhere, setting up for the children's games on the town green. Hoops for rolling, burlap sacks for racing, a rope for tug-o-war, cabbages for kicking... The big man seems like a child himself, grinning with glee as he prepares.
Soon, farmers and their families begin rolling into town in their wagons. The children immediately scamper off to see what Razik has planned for them. Wives carefully inspect their entries for the preserve and pie competitions. More and more food and drink are added to the already heavily-laden feast tables. This year has seen a record harvest for Marian and everyone is in high spirits, ready to celebrate the end of another successful growing season. They've earned this.
Shortly before midday, the streets are already crowded and families have staked out their seats. Some clearly want to stay as close to the food as possible. Others want a good view of the games. Still others decide to sit nearest the many kegs rolled out by Gabe and Caelín. There promises to be some excellent ales and ciders on tap...
At noon, Balleck, who recently arrived leading a small group of well-dressed visitors, ascends the steps of the Town Hall to make a few announcements. He explains the schedule of events, thanks everyone who donated food and drink as well as prizes for all the games, and congratulates the entire town on their hard work and the bountiful harvest. With that, the Festival is underway!
Up on the Town Hall steps, Tali and his small band of local musicians play cheerful tunes, perfect for a bit of country dancing. As needed, the young bard pauses to teach a few such dances so that everyone can join in. Alwydd Nerris, the usually uptight mercantile owner, is by far the best dancer and is in great demand as a partner. All the entrants in the pie and preserve competitions take their entries over for judging and smile nervously at each other. Of course, Mairi Becklan is heavily favored to win. Again. Lon is kept busy by several farmers apparently asking the Pelorian's advice before he's whisked off to judge the homemade treats. Cerrilynnae and Fahred arrive together and spend the entire day enjoying only each other's company. Bidric Hadlee and his daughter arrive a tad bit late to the festivities. Aislinn slyly finds her father a seat facing away from Caelín so she can steal a few moments with him throughout the day. Lady Meraia, wearing a flattering new gown, makes her way through the crowd, greeting everyone politely. Balleck makes certain she speaks with his guests whom he is escorting around, singing the praises of Marian. A little off to the side, Galen helps with the apple bobbing, trying (and failing) to keep from getting soaked.
The heroes, too, have decided to participate fully in the celebration. Rasca and Lex enter one of their amazing apple pies into the competition. Beryl, in dog form, is the main attraction in a little menagerie tent where children pay to see her, Herman, Rocky, Saffy, and Razzle. (It's for charity.) Lex and Tolin man the dunking booth (also for charity) where Nieve Becklan manages to dunk her "betrothed" to the delight of all the young ladies gathered. And Elliot, in between cigarettes, offers rides on Arodreth to all the children. (For charity??)
By now the festival is in full swing. As expected, Razik is being run ragged by the many children and their games. No matter how the game begins, though, it always seems to end with the youngsters wrasslin' the big man. They try hanging off his arms and clinging to his legs, sometimes half a dozen at a time, hoping to overpower the beefy blacksmith. And through it all, Razik's laughter is heard ringing throughout the square. Clearly, he's in his element.
Nearby, Rinate watches her husband fondly, a wistful smile on her face. She doesn't join in the foolery but she enjoys seeing Razik romp and play. Now and then, he catches her eye and runs over to kiss her hand or cheek - before the children drag him back.
Not to be outdone, the party signs up for the tug-o-war competition, recruiting Galen to fill out their roster. To make things interesting, Razik recruits five of the weakest looking attendees to join his team. They face some stiff competition, though, as many of the farmers look remarkably strong. To add a little extra spice, quite a few spectators wager on the contest. At Lex's urging, young Darcie Becklan, who hadn't really been enjoying the festival up until then, proves herself a capable bookie, taking numerous bets. After the main competition, Lex decides to challenge Razik to a one-on-one contest, to settle once and for all who is the strongest man in town. It's a close call but the burly blacksmith edges out the younger man. (Darcie, having bet against Lex, tosses a coin his way to help make up for his loss.)
By early evening, the shadows are growing long as the sun begins to set. The children have been running wild for hours now and are starting to show signs of weariness. The pies and preserves have been judged and prizes awarded. Winners and losers alike have partaken of the bountiful food and drink and are indulging in a bit of good-natured bragging or excuse-making as the case may be. Most are finding seats around the tables or benches, perhaps even along the curb or on the grass. There's an air of anticipation descending along with the sun. Finally, Balleck announces, it's time to light the bonfire! Children squeal with joy and scurry to find the best vantage points. Their parents refill their cups and pull their seats a bit closer. Young couples hold hands, waiting to take advantage of the deep shadows created by the flames. Huge logs are stacked inside a ring of stones right in front of the Town Hall and benches are moved back to leave plenty of room around the flames.
At this point, Tali and the other musicians begin playing a tune familiar to all Marianites. It's their own version of an old harvest song, one they have sung for years, just like farming communities all over Thaslan. The melody and lyrics are simple and everyone seems to know them. The entire town square sings together, delighting in this shared seasonal tradition.
After the final verse is sung, there's a brief round of applause before the musicians lead the crowd into rhythmic clapping. Everyone looks around eagerly, craning their necks to get a better view. By this time, Razik has removed his linen shirt and he now stands bare-chested, hands on his hips, grinning hugely at the crowd. He then steps slowly toward the huge pile of firewood, the crowd, still clapping in time, parting to give him a wide berth. Stopping about fifteen feet from the pile, he extends his left arm. "Gor-ETT!" he cries - and flames suddenly dance down his arm, landing in his outstretched palm. There's a delighted gasp all around. The children cheer loudly. He extends his right arm. "Gor-ETT!" Flames now run down that arm and pool in his hand. By now, the children are screaming with excitement. Razik turns around slightly, displaying his burning yet unharmed hands in a bit of showmanship. Clearly, he's reveling in the attention. (Off to the side, Rinate smiles at his antics.) Then, he brings his hands together and shouts, "KOS-tyur!" causing a huge ball of flame to flare up between his palms. The children's shouts reach a fever pitch. Others, still clapping, are breathless in anticipation. Finally, the big man raises both hands high and hurls the blazing sphere at the fire pit. It bursts upon the stacked wood, immediately catching the tinder and dry kindling, sending a column of flames whooshing up! The entire square erupts in raucous cheering!
So intent was everyone on the fiery display, they didn't notice Hanette walking slowly toward Lon. As Razik is letting loose his flames, the young woman stops a few feet away from the Pelorian. It seems she means to touch him as both hands raise vaguely..... then she reaches up and begins to claw violently at her own eyes, blood welling up between her fingers and running down her face. It takes several moments for it to register but then someone cries out in horror amid all the excitement. Lon sees her then, shocked, and leaps toward her, grabbing her hands to pry them away. Hanette screams.
At that exact moment, a high-pitched shriek cuts through the last of the cheering, causing heads to turn in alarm. Young Elske Landon, still in her mother's arms, wails at the top of her little lungs, startling the revelers and terrifying her parents. Wondering what is causing the outcry, Irena adjusts the tiny babe in hopes of soothing her. That's when she notices the blood on her arm, blood seeping from the back of Elske's tender head. And Irena screams, too.
Meanwhile, Lon, frantically holding Hanette as she struggles against him, turns to ask Galen to come quickly and help him. But Galen looks pale and unsteady. He takes a step, staggers, puts his hand up to his chest, winces as if in pain, takes half a step before crumbling to the ground. His head hits the pavement, his eyes roll over white, and blood flows from his mouth.
Up on the steps of the Town Hall, the musicians have ceased playing, realizing that something is amiss. Tali peers around in concern, then stops, grimacing, clutching his chest. He coughs once, again, then chokes as a gout of blood sprays from his mouth. He pitches forward and tumbles down the steps.
From over by the tavern, there's another high-pitched scream. Aislinn, deathly pale, stands over Caelín lying at her feet, his hand pressed against his chest, his face contorted in agony, blood streaming from his mouth.
Suddenly, the crowd breaks as revelers recoil in fear and disgust and parents search frantically for their children. Most hurry away from the fallen. Others, though, rush toward the stricken, desperate to render aid. Rasca rushes to Irena's side and offers a healing potion to the suffering infant. Elliot, seeing that Lon and Gabe are taking Hanette to the inn, hurries to check on Galen. Beryl goes to Tali's side and tries healing the young half-elf who remains unconscious.
That's when they hear it. A soft, whining whistle at first, like steam escaping from wet wood in the bonfire. Then louder. Then an unnatural crackling, and a roaring undertone that builds and rises into a deafening cacophony until the fire suddenly erupts, fanning out in all directions, sending a shower of sparks flying around the square! The sparks land on clothing, tents, bunting, grass, igniting everything they touch.
And amid the now raging bonfire, the heroes see the flames shimmer and fan out in a circular pattern. Then a form emerges from blaze, clawed feet and hands, gaunt, scaled torso, curved horns atop a gruesome head, leathery wings. The thing lets out a terrifying screech as it leaps forth. Behind it, another figure steps out from the fire, hooved feet, a bloated body, and grotesque, bestial features. Then a third! Simian hands and feet, hulking, furred torso, and animalistic face. Now a fourth creature! Larger than the others with clawed hands, huge wings, and banded horns, it brandishes a flaming whip. The horrors rush out of the bonfire toward the scattering townsfolk.
As the party frantically assesses the situation, a fifth figure steps out of the flames. It is smaller than the others, seemingly humanoid but so heavily robed with such a deep cowl that it's impossible to tell much about it. It stands behind the three monsters and seems to gesture at them. Its robes are dead black, seeming to absorb any light that touches them, and the darkness inside the hood appears endless as it turns its head, regarding the crowd. Meraia, who had stood still during the fracas, moves quickly now. Pulling a knife from the folds of her dress, she starts to throw it at largest creature but hesitates... then throws it instead at the one in robes. Her weapon hits true but the dark figure responds immediately, pulling out the dagger and throwing it back at Meraia with startling speed and accuracy. She is surprised as the blade cuts her cheek when she attempts to sidestep it. At that, she hurries to retrieve her knife but, seeing Elliot trying to move Galen to safety, she steps over to the fallen cleric. Throwing her arms around him, Meraia gestures... and both of them suddenly disappear only to reappear over by the tavern.
The other horrors begin lashing out at the heroes as well as Razik, who seemed to be in shock. As two of the creatures attack him, though, Rinate leaps to defend her husband, taking the shape of a huge bear. It's clear the monsters mean to capture the big man, though, and soon the party are trying desperately to fight them off. Tolin manages to turn Razik into a fire elemental which allows him to escape a tight spot and Rasca then thunder steps him out of attack range. Or so she thinks. Two of the brutes quickly teleport directly over to him!
This game of keep away is interrupted when yet another figure emerges from the flames. Dressed in colorful, fancy robes, the creature, although upright, appears canine in nature. Along with the black-robed figure, the newcomer attacks Razik with powerful magic, stripping away the big man's fire elemental form and seriously wounding him.
Things just got real.
08/27/2022