Chapter 1: Harvest Moon

The sun is high in the sky, and it looks like most of the crops have been harvested. The small army of people has made wonderful time across the fields. In fact, you can see the sorted crops being brought into the town, no doubt to be packaged or cooked for the festival. It won't be long now until you're actually done. Several of the townspeople are walking towards you with waterskins and empty baskets.

The townspeople walking towards you offer the waterskins, and suggest that you go back into the town to rest up for the evening. They explain that they will be glad to finish up this area. With the same cheerfulness as everyone else, they begin harvesting the last of the tomatoes. It's now that you notice that a few crates of what can be presumed crops have been left near each field. A new team of very tan people are moving to the farmhouse. If you had to guess the time, it would most likely be right around one pm.

Oh well... we're almost done so... We wouldn't mind you staying of course! We just thought you'd might like to rest up is all, since you've done so much already... One of the women explains. She sets about harvesting herself, as one of the men speaks next. They'll be setting up the stewpot right now, I'd wager. Soon at least. Gotta get started on cooking something that big sooner rather than later. The others nod in agreement.

You imagine it would take another hour to finish if all of you worked together. Most of the other fields look clear of people now.

@ Deturai: As you enter the town square, you notice that more decorations than before are placed. In particular are many tables and chairs are arranged near the edges of the square in groups, marking a clearing in front of the stage from last night. You notice a healthy flow of people coming in and out of the town hall, carrying what looks to be props and costumes. Off to one side of the stage is the enormous copper pot over a similarly-sized fire. A staircase of crates leads up to the top. Quite a few people are also manning this, including the family from the inn. In fact, Mellia seems to be giving Prea a scolding right this minute...

@ Everyone else: Oh... those are loaded crates, I'd think, at least if they're closed up. They'd need to go to storage. But... those are heavy, surely you'd just rather rest? We have plenty moving those... The man from before says as he continues to harvest. A slight wind rustles the stalks in the fields, and birds start calling for a minute, before falling silent.

The man looks back to his friends, then you, a bit uneasily. It would... be hard to explain. I'll walk with you so you don't get turned around. But I doubt you'd get in the way! The squash tends to be packed into smaller bits. Not as much demand for those so... He walks with you to the crates, some of which, such as "potatoes" come close to his navel, while the mentioned "squash" comes closer to his knees. He gets close to one of the larger ones. Right, well, I'll lift one end if you want to get the other. It'll probably be easier on our backs that way. By the way, what were your names? I'm Raef. He bends down and finds a hold underneath the crate, and braces for Chuton's help.

@ Deturai: Both of them turn to look at you before falling suddenly silent. Mellia speaks first Well hi there! I guess your being here means the harvest is brought in! We noticed your food cart before, did you come to help with the stew? Maybe you have a secret or two to teach us! The others look up at you, some surprised slightly, but most look inquisitive. Prea decides to storm off.

Well met Chuton. We generally don't need to guard the produce. After all, we do keep all of the people from outside our town together! We've done things this way for as long as the town's been around. Something about the ground here giving us too much to harvest without help, I think. I stopped paying attention to the stories once I found out beer existed.
As you move through the town, you encounter very little traffic. Most people you do pass are either headed to their houses with dirty clothes, or forming groups to go to the town center. Before long, you come to an open warehouse, which apparently is the one you're looking for. There are crates stacked and organized along the walls, with unorganized ones in the center. There is also an empty wagon with a horse attached. No one else is around.