[IC] Death & Taxes (Session 3)

"Well if it is for good fortune, I must that that leap" Nekurr immediately mentions as he looks at the bonfire. "I like this festival already!". The half-catfolk starts to look around, waiting for the moment when he can check out the festival grounds "And the pageant! How does that work actually? I was told outsider may be allowed as judges!"

The mayor chuckles at Hildar's reasoning and Nekurr's enthusiasm. To the Elf, he says, "You've done your homework, friend! No doubt you've noticed that our understanding of religion is a bit different from most." He shrugs. "I mean, most folk don't associate Nature's Lady with a buzzard neither. But after the harvest, we all gotta use a knife to cut the food up, so it makes sense. But..." He gives Nera a grin. "Keep the bow. If folks get spooked, tell 'em I said it was all right." To Nekurr, he adds, "I was going to leave that for a surprise, but we did wanna see if you all might help decide the winner. Pageant's the last major event. Happens during the big feast." As he starts to head off, he yells, "Have fun! Be sure to try the salad!" Rupert Wayland hands Nera back her bow and walks off with his brother.

And with that, you are left alone.

Hildar frowns at the retreating form of the mayor and ponders things for a moment.....

"Score." Nera happily accepts her bow. Looking around anyone can tell she looks ready to get this party started, possibly look for opportunities in skulduggery.

When the mayor has left them to their relative silence Nera first has to get a bit more info. "Okay, give me the rundown: are we expecting any weird ceremonies? Will we eat the food and pass out, our fate in their hands?"

As the mayor and Rupert leave Hildar turns to the others "The bird imagery and the use of knives fall under a different god than Aris.....Harridan" he smiles expecting a response but when greeted but several blank looks he quickly carries on "Erm, Harridan is another Zanagan deity, quite closely allied with Arachne. I believe their clergies compete with one another in a lot of respects but they are not beyond co-operation if it is to their mutual benefit" throughout he keeps his voice pitched low so that only his companions can hear him

Nekurr looks at Hildar as he mentions all the gods. "So ... we stay away from the salad?"

"Ya may want to take a look at what they're throwing in that fire, before ya go leaping over it... If dere's purple leaves, you're just jumping over a giant pipe.

An' Oi won't be drinking or eating anyting on offer 'ere tonight. Oi want ta keep moi faculties moine, and we are still on da job... an' Oi suspect dat partaking in dere sacraments may 'ave contributed to... whatever 'appened to our tax-man. Which we still 'ave no real clue of...

If we believe da tax records are forged, we're gonna 'ave ta confront da Mayor about 'at, sometime, too."

Nekurr (& who?)

Nekurr approaches the pile of kindling and branches that have been leaned into a conical pyre. A portly Gnome woman holds back a line of young children who seem eager to do the Dreamer's Leap. Little Peppin Galbernost is among them. "Cat man!" he practically screams. "Are you gonna leap with us?"

Nekurr & HildarThe boy gives Nekurr an offended look. "Dangerous? That's the point, Cat Sir. If you jump over, Nature's Lady blesses you!" As the boy talks, Nekurr and Hildar notice the Gnome woman erect a tall stepladder. On the opposite side of the bonfire is a large tub of what appear to be dry beans. The pyre itself seems to be plain old wood; there's no sign of the purple leaf or the plant it grows on.

The woman urges the children to back up, and she lights the pyre with some flint and steel. A few boys jostle to be the first over, but a portly lad with dark hair wins out. He climbs the stepladder, says, "Blessed be the Founder!" and jumps over the flames--still several feet below the top of the ladder--and lands in the tub of beans harmlessly.

"Are you gonna jump?" Peppin asks the Elf and Half-Catfolk. "I can go before you if you won't be scared."

NeraWith a bit of looking around, Nera is able to find the knife-throwing area. It's not far from a pen where a large hog whimpers and lolls. A burly Human man with a bushy white beard stands behind a large barrel. A middle-aged Human woman takes one of the knives and throws it gingery, but it lands harmlessly in the dirt a few feet in front of her. The Catfolk notices five other knives in similar positions.

"Pathetic, Dabley! Nature's Lady would expect more from you." The woman seems embarrassed, but she merely cursies and walks away. Nera thinks she catches her rolling her eyes as she does so. The big man collects the knives from the dirt and gives Nera a sidelong glance. "So, outsider? You willing to show your thanks to our goddess? Want to try your hand at it? Just throw the knife and hit the hay bales. Easy as that."

"Really?" Nera is almost baffled by how easy this contest appears to be. She wonders if there is some hidden gimmick, like the ones in those traveling circus communities. "I will try."