Chapter 1: Harvest Moon

It is evening in Algeras, a town built up around it's many farms.
An orange moon is just starting to rise over the horizon. As is tradition in the town, decorations, tables, and portable cookery are arranged in the town square, which itself is lit by many hanging lanterns. A sizeable wooden stage is set in front of a large hall. The shop windows are dark and reflect the light of the lanterns. A few of the wood-built houses through the town are still lit, but most remain apparently vacant.

Many people in town have gathered to the square, a few still carry tools and decorations in hand. Their voices are heard in idle conversation; youths excitedly talking about the dances they have reserved with crushes, elders sharing stories of past festivals, and middle aged people talking about final preparation plans.

The voices quickly die down to a murmur, then become silent as a group of nine men, all elders, come from the large hall and ascend to the stage. The last one is helped up the stairs by two middle-aged men, who stand to the side after the elders take their seats. All of the elders look to each other for a second before the one in the third chair steps up to a lectern in the center of the stage. He speaks in a deep voice, with just the hint of a rasp to tell his age. Thank you, everyone, for coming to yet another harvest festival. As has long been tradition in our town, tomorrow we will be getting up early in the morning to help our farmers pull in this season's crops. As the lifeblood of our town, our farms provide food to many of the cities around us, and even make it to the capitol. It is not exaggeration to say that these crops are counted on by peoples all over our world. A ripple goes through the crowd, and the elder gives a moment before putting up his hand to silence them. Yes, we are counted on by everyone. We all know that last festival, our town fell short of our planned harvest. I am sure you have seen a newcomer in our midst these past few months. Arius, could you step forward, please? At this, a tall, masculine figure in a robe nervously steps out of the crowd and faces everyone. A thin face with golden eyes, burnt by the sun meets everyone's gaze. Arius here was brought in to remedy our problem. He's a researcher from Torrana, specializing in fertilizers, fairly well known for his work. With his research, he has assured us that our fields will produce like they did before. We have nothing to worry about anymore. So, everyone should rest up for tomorrow! Please see the agendas before you go home on each of the streetcorners here in the square for performance times and other information. If there are and outsiders today, you are invited to stay in the square for a moment; our elected festival innkeepers will give you more information on our festival as well as free lodging for the night. Event planners should join us elders in the hall to discuss final preparations. Thank you all again for coming, and we'll see you again at dinner!

With this, the voices of the crowd come back, and everyone begins to disperse, though an air of uncertainty hangs over them now. The elders make their way back to the hall behind them, followed by a handful of people, as a middle-aged couple take the stage and wait for the crowd to die down. They wave to everyone still left in the square to come over to them. Besides the party, there are two others, dressed in travel robes with pale faces, dark long hair, and a blue emblem on the right breast of their robes. They look like they could be brothers. One speaks to the other Well, Jo, let's go see about some free food while we're here. Might as well take advantage. They start walking to the stage.

The couple, middle-aged halflings, look down at the assembled outsiders. By the light of the lanterns, their dark hair and ever-so-slightly overweight figure can be seen, as well as their overly smiling faces.
The husband puts his finger up as he counts the group Seven! Oh wonderful, after last yea- he gets a quick elbow from his wife.

Oh, don't mind him. I'm Mellia, and he's Segno. Together, we run the Great Oak Inn. Now, as is tradition here, the best inn in town is going to give you free meals and rooms for the night, so that tomorrow, all of you can join in our festival! I'm so excited!
Segno speaks up again Yes, yes, it's very fun. But we should get home, like she said, we all have to get up pretty early. We can talk more there anyway. It's this way.

Segno leads the group down one of the larger streets, passing by shops and a few of the higher-end houses on the way before stopping at a large building. The inn is well-kept and shows little signs of age. A sign hangs above the door and reads "Great Oak Inn", with accompanying picture. In a small courtyard in front of the inn, there are a few benches surrounding a withered tree. Once inside, the man takes orders, as his wife calls a young girl down to help her cook. Once everyone has their food, Segno sits down at a table nearby Well eat up! Your lucky my daughter helped he looks over his shoulder everything tastes better when she does. But does anyone have questions about the festival?

Segno's face starts to turn pink as he looks at Isuna with anger in his eyes. He raises a finger as if to lecture her, but then puts it down as his expression turns to a mix of sadness and defeat. I... I guess I can see how that makes sense. Truth be told, we don't know what's happening. Last time harvest came around, the farmers had to admit that the crops just... didn't grow. It was a huge blow to our town, in every way. Well, that's why the elders hired that man from Torrana. The fields do look well at least...

I wouldn't know much about that... Although a few years ago, Prea over at the clothes shop did get a weird machine that helps her make things. I think it's something like that. Anyway, the elders said that Arius did a ton of work with potions. He's done a great thing for all of us, I just hope he'll teach us before he leaves.
The two other people from out of town in the robes shift slightly at Chuton's question, but don't say anything.

I'd be very happy for that. Are you an acolyte? Mellia and Prea were going to the temple after everyone went to bed...Oh! I'd better be seeing how Mellia is getting along. Don't want to leave her to do everything now. Segno gets up, gathers empty dishes, and returns them to the kitchen.
Shortly after, Mellia comes out with their daughter in tow. Come now, it's getting late. I'll show you to your rooms, just let us know if you need anything. She leads everyone upstairs, showing everyone to rooms with two beds apiece. The pair places hot glasses of water in the rooms, with small teabags, before saying goodnight.
The two men in robes room together. Everyone else can room as they want, if they have a preference.