[IC] Death & Taxes (Session 3)

Reassembled with dusk approaching, you follow Rupert Wayland across the smaller river and then toward the western edge of town. The large man is a beast, carrying the half-full crate of wine on his back like a pack mule. On the way, you pass more small farmhouses and fields of grain, small vegetables, and that ever-present pipeleaf. If the festival has even a few of these foods on offer, it'll be a feast.

You hear the festival before you see it. The sounds of jaunty pipe-and-fiddle tunes waft toward you, along with shouts, laughter, and singing. Then the smells come, some sort of succulent meat stew, it smells like. Finally, you arrive on the site itself. The area is set up in a large, fenced-in area surrounded by farmland. The large stew you smelled simmers in a cauldron over a central bonfire surrounded by hay bales where joyous villagers sit with their families. A ring of canvas tents circles this central area, each offering some sort of food or drink. A wooden stage has been erected to the eastern edge of the grounds, while the northern area is abuzz with people tending to razorwings tethered to posts.

Rupert Wayland sets your wine down near the entrance to the area. His brother, Mayor Castor Wayland, seems to notice your arrival and head your way. "Glad to see you've made it!" he says, with a toothy grin. "Welcome to the Founder's Festival! I trust you found the documents you were looking for?"

Nekurr looks around, marvelled by the small, but still impressive fair such a small town managed to make.

He regards Nekurr and Bruv. "And I hope my fellow villagers have been cooperative. Any luck tracking down your missing taxman?"

Bruv nods, "Yea, Oi tink a picture is formin'...

Wot's yet favorite ting ta do at the Fair, 'ere, Mayor Wayland?"

The mayor lights up at mention of the events. "Take your pick, friend! Dreamer's Leap oughtta be starting up soon. We start with the kids, but then everyone takes a leap over the bonfire in honor of Nature's Lady. Then we've got the knife-throwing contest, of course. Then you might want to make a little wager on the razorwing races--I won't tell the baron if you don't, and rest assured, that all the winnings go to upkeep of those magnificent creatures. Course, a big fella like you oughtta really think about wrasslin' the greased pig! That's always a favorite of the villagers!"

Bruv nods along as the mayor rattles off the list, "Eh... last toime Oi wrestled a pig, she wanted me ta buy 'er dinner and drinks afterwards.. Ha-har!.", he smiles and laughs at his own jest.

"Wot abou' da Nature's Lady's sacrament? Can outsoiders partake of da purple plant?"

Hildar smiles in what he hopes is a reassuring manner at the mayor "Ah yes, I think we found everything we need. Thank you for for being so accommodating"

Wayland chortles and flashes a grin. "It's all sacraments tonight, my good man. If it's the pipeleaf you're interested in, I'd urge you to try the salad. Chandy Galbernost's dressing is divine—if you'll pardon the expression. But you're also welcome to grab one of the effigies of Nature's Lady from that tent over there." He nods to a tent near the entrance of the field. "Every household'll burn one of those tonight in honor of the goddess. Folks 'round here say that if she sends you good dreams, you know you'll have a blessed harvest in the coming year." The mayor leans in and lowers his voice. "Now this interest in the pipeleaf doesn't have anything to do with some silly laws against the stuff out there in the barony, does it? Some villagers are a bit concerned…"

Bruv just shakes his head, "Oi'm a bit of a mystic, and a man of nature myself, Mayor. Oi both recognize the value of soch communion, and more importantly; wasn't paid to care about your pipeleaf. Ergo, Oi do not.

Wot about our other Tax-man? Did 'e care abou' it? Sounds the type to me that might 'ave even jumped at the opportunity to try da stuff."

"Well, we had no complains about any illegal activity around the area so I'm pretty sure no one is worried about it in the barony." Nekurr adds to Bruv's explanation "In fact, we understand that religious rituals come in many forms and there is no reason to question higher power than ourselves" with that point made, the cleric focus on his own rituals "I for one find those razorwing races truly interesting expressions of devotion."

With so many distractions, the mayor seems content to let the pipeleaf fears go. Hildar bristles slightly as the mayor's eyes glance across the Elf's belongings, but Wayland doesn't seem to notice the tome that was taken from his manor.

The man gestures toward the woodpile and flashes his perfect teeth. "Looks like we're about to light the bonfire. I hope you'll consider taking the Dreamer's Leap. Bigger the fire gets, the better your fortune will be, we old folks say. Now, if you'll excuse me..."

Dreamer's leap? Sounds weird. Nera is confident if the others talked about it she was definitely not paying attention, not being too keen on matters of ceremony or devotion.

"Oh mayor, before you leave? I had heard there might be an archery contest of sorts?" Nera asks innocently enough.

The mayor pauses a moment. "You mean the knife-throwing contest? Absolutely! I'm sure folks'd love to see some outsiders throw a knife or two!" His brother holds up Nera's bow and grunts. "I take it you want to use your bow instead? Problem is, the goddess's sacred implement is the dagger... But I suppose if you were to figure out a way to explain it as an act of devotion..."

Hildar quickly racks his brain for what he knows about the goddess to weigh in on the conversation in Nera’s favour

Hildar looks thoughtful for a few moments before interjecting with the mayor "I was of the understanding that most of the regarded implements, those considered to be particularly significant to the worship of Aris, are more implements associated with the harvest....sickles, scythes and the like. I mean if you consider the shape of a bow compared with the curve on the blade of a scythe or sickle in addition to the related practice in some areas of having a hunt as part of observances such as these celebrations that the bow could be considered to be a suitable implement....well, from a certain standpoint at least." and he looks at the mayor expectantly.