Gar looked at the kobold and groaned. "Really....more damn riddles? Didn't you have your fill" He drained his cup and slammed it on the table. "These two damn reptiles think too much. This one..." Pointing at Chitterkit "...is a arcane bookworm looking to find the answrs to everythiing.  and this one..." Pointing at Lesstry "......makes cute little toys that make so much noise it'll scare a flock of birds miles away."

He scratched his cheek. "...But at least he knows how to insult someone.....somewhat." he had a half smile.

He then looked at Romeroz. "So what can you do Hairy?"

Chitterkit listened carefully as Romeroz started his story. The Kobold took note of the Bugbear's reaction as he prematurely ended the tale. He hopped over and gave Romeroz a reassuring pat on his forearm---his own stature far too small to reach the bugbear's shoulder.

"Paper flower fine answer for Romeroz," Chitterkit said. "And Chitterkit thanks Romeroz for sharing. Chitterkit not know rest of story, but think this: gifts need not be earned, but giver decide if gift deserved."

Chitterkit gave a cackle at Gar's grumbling.

"And Chitterkit see Gar answered riddle already. Gar like complaining. Gar very good at it, and always ready to share. But Chitterkit not think that best answer."

The Kobold wizard looked at the others in the group and asked, "Want answer before hear Chitterkit's?"

[OOC: Everyone receives 1 pt of Inspiration. Great roleplay, gang! =D]

"Memories..." Lesstry said to Chitterkit, a bit of solemnness in his voice. "Like that of my love Zania, each day I travel away from her my memories are all I have to inspire me. Memories of her laugh are what I dream about, the loss of the memory of her gaze upon me is all that I fear." Lesstry realized his eyes had lowered and he fiddled with the five pointed star on his trenchcoat before clearing his throat and looking back up. "Is that right Chitterkit?"

Romeroz nodded along with Gar.  He could tell that Gar carried a lot of status with him.  Among the goblinkin it was not uncommon for certain Elders to carry status, a level of respect that seemed to float around them as a measure of public respect.  If you did not know the Elder, you could usually measure their status by how they carried themself and how others bent to their will.

Gar had status.  Romeroz saw this clearly.  But neither Lesstry or Chitterkit seemed to bend much towards Gar, so that it has hard to read what level of deference that Romeroz should show.

"What do I do?  I..."  He looked around, and spotted the nearest member of the Aurora Watch.  "I am an upright member of the community.  I will make a positive impact.  I can haul things.  I can break things that need positive breaking.   I can use a blade."  He patted one of the two short swords that sat at his side.

He listened then to Chitterkit and the Lesstry.  It was good to see their close friendship.

Chitterkit grinned at Lesstry's answer.

"Lesstry's answer also Chitterkit's answer when Wise Old Klackyap Snagglefang ask riddle," the wizard explained. "Klackyap say it good answer for Chitterkit, but good answer for one maybe bad answer for other. Klackyap say his answer 'make friends,' and Chief Sharpclaw say 'courage.'

"Klackyap say answers show what one think important. Chitterkit not understand at first, but now agree. Sometimes take time to understand riddles more than games to play."

Lesstry nodded to Chitterkit, "Klackyap seems very wise"

Chitterkit's riddle had definitely hit home for Lesstry, and had drawn out of him more than a bit of homesickness. He stood upright and straightened his coat, definitely a habit it would seem.

"So, another round of drinks? Or should we go explore some more? My vote is exploring"

Gar glared at the kobold and snorted. “You think i like complaining kobold?” he snorted as he looked in the distance. “You want to know what i like - balance in all things. That is what i strive for….many druids claim they strive for balance in things, yet they alter the balance of death and life. No…..true balance includes that of death and life, even undeath has a place in limited scope. True balance is a circle.”

As he spoke he became more sage-like and thoughtful, and less gruff. When he paused, he looked back and looked more at peace - until he saw their faces and frowned again. “Er….you want to know why i complain. Stupid riddles - you want to say something, just say it.”

He looked at Romeroz and noddeed, a half smile on his face. “Sometimes knowing what you can’t do is just as important as what you can. I can’t speak for the lizards here, but you want to join us, you’re welcome. You watch our backs, pull your weight and do right by us is all that matters to me.”

The Festival of Merit proves to be everything that the small group had hoped for with food, some small excitement in a number of events and a curious mixture of the local residents.  After about three hours of the festivities the events start to close.  Leading the adventurers to a paddock are a series of deep, bass drums as the ceremony for the closing events begin.

Romeroz found himself talking more as the group toured.  He knew a number of locals, and thought they looked a little askance at him at first, when they saw good coin behind his words they offered the group good food, drink, and entertainment.

The drums, though, were a sign of a more important change.  "Come this way.  The closing events are important."

[OOC: Romeroz will continue to be generous, using his coin to pay for choice treats and incidental costs.  Almost like the money didn't mean anything to him.]

Gar drank and listened to Romeroz. Despite his surly appearance, he was begining to like the bugbear...much like he did The lizardfolk and kobold (Not that he would openly admit it)

when he said to follow and the closing was important, the tortle stood slowly, walking with his walking stick. "Keep your fur on....it hasn't started yet boy." He looked at Lesstry and Chitterkit. "Well....you gonna move your scaly tails or what?"

"We're coming Gar" Lesstry said as if he were a teenager being nagged by his mother. All the drinking had left Lesstry in a pretty good mood, despite the fact that they had yet to find any work at all. Still, it was a fun day, in fact it was the most fun Lesstry could remember having in recent history.

"When we get there stand near the back so your giant shell doesn't block anything for the wee ones, you father wasn't a window maker" Lesstry said jesting once more with Gar.

[Private to Romeroz Gult: In thieves cant a passing goblins conveys a message to you from Elder Colbu Kaz. "Take your team to the Grotto"]

On the way to the paddock a thin goblin male walks beside Romeroz, chatting about the events and strangely the weather. The sun begins to set and the sound of drumming echoes throughout the Jumble, summoning participants to the paddock. Elder Ushru, a orc priest stands in the middle of the road atop a platform of wooden crats. When all the festival officials and a large throng of revelers are assembled, the drums die down and the elder speaks.

Elder Ushru is an elderly orc, dressed in deep blue robes, standing atop a platform of crats, she smiles.

"Mighty warriors, brilliant strategist, you have impressed us with your feats." he boomed proudly. "But the main event, as you know, is yet to come. Only two teams will be chosen to compete in the final challenge-a race through the Emerald Grotto, in the depths of which the greatest prize awaits!"

Elder Ushru explains that he and Elder Colbu Kaz will choose two teams from among the festival's participants and invite them to engage in a race through a submerged grotto to retreive a jeweled icon that has symbolized the competitive spirit of Jigow for generations: the Emerald Eye. The winners of the race will receive 100 hp and will be hailed as the city's Champions of Merit for the next year.

Elder Colbu Kaz joins Elder Ushru on the platform where they consult briefly, pointing at figures in the crowd and whispering to each other. They eventually decide on two teams, pointed out each player character and other figures (most notably the drow from the earlier riddle contest) from the crowd until both groups are invited to follow the elders to the Emerald Grotto to compete in the grand finale!

"Well can you believe it, we impressed them with riddles!" Lesstry said to the gathered group, "A race, this is going to be fun, and will give me a chance to show off my physical prowess to potential employers"

Romeroz nodded.  "You all impressed Elder Kaz.  The race is not always easy, but I had never thought I would compete in it."

Romeroz smiled, and there was a momentary wicked gleam in his teeth.  "I might even make a bet with someone on the other team.  Perhaps we can make this race more interesting."

Romeroz nodded to the others.  "And before we race, I will want to offer you two of you a small piece of my gift.  But only if you are willing."

Gar looked on as the game was announced, and he crossed his arms with a frown. "Great...a race. They do know i'm a turtle, right?" He snorted, but a gleam in his eye showed he was interested, turning to the others, he stopped at Lesstry.

"Don't get ahead of yourself lizard boy - they mentioned the emerald grotto." he looked at Romeroz. "You know what in the nine hells that is?"

"Don't be sour Gar, the turtle won the race again the hare after all" Lesstry grinned a toothy grin, "But also, ya, what is the Emerald Grotto"

Romeroz gestured for the rest to follow.  "Better to see.  I will share what I can remember of stories, but I have not raced in this myself."

Romeroz tried to remember some of the highlights of previous years.

[OOC: 11:19, Today: Romeroz Gult rolled 14 using 1d20-1 ((15)). History roll. What does Romeroz remember about the Grotto and previous races?]
This message was last edited by the player at 15:21, Sun 12 Feb 2023.

Chitterkit followed along with the group, with his familiar Kukoku flying up above. Sometimes the Kobold wizard would seem to enter a daze, his eyes momentarily turning into the same shape and color of the owl's. Every so often, he would poke into his bag and fetch out a scrap of parchment and jot down notes using a gnawed-on ink pen.

Chitterkit was genuinely surprised when the elders announced their choices for the race.

"Chitterkit wonder if there are rules for race... Chitterkit know spells that might help, but not want to cheat..."

Gar looked at Romeroz and nodded and glared at Lesstry. "Thats a false story lizard.....meant to prove a point. Rabbits are faster than turtles - it's just we're smarter"

He looked at the Kobold and shrugged. "Will the otehr group be as noble - i doubt it. We do this, i plan on usig every advantage i can."

The Black Islands sit in the mouth of the Ifolon River where it flowers into the Emerald Gulch, a sea eith a rocky shoreline. A cave in the smallest island offers access to the Emerald Grotto, a twisting network of unerwater caves where the grand finale of the festival takes place.

The characters, and another group, proceed with the elders to the southeastern edge of Jigow with what seems like the entire population in a procession behind them. The atmosphere is one of anticipation and excitement.

The characters follow the elders as they wade through the shallows, from one island to another. When they reach the smallest island Elder Colbu Kaz places several potions of water breathing in front of the contestants. "This magic lasts for one hour." he says, Then Elder Ushru halts the crowd and raises his arms to address all assembled.

Elder Ushru stands before the mouth of the cave and address you and your opponents. "You brave and valiant individuals have shown your merit this day; now your final test awaits!" He pulls a palm-sized golden and emerald amulet from his robes, holds it aloft and declares "This medal's twin has been placed in the deepest cavern of the Emerald Grotto. Be the first to claim the Emerald Eye and return it to this place to be declared Jigow's Champions of Merit! Begin Now!"



[OOC: Everyone please make a Dexterity check. If at least half of you get a total of 13 or higher you will enter the grotto first. Otherwise, the other group will enter first. ]

Gar looked at the man and scowled. "Typical - if i was a bit stronger i could have changed into a fish or something, but NOOOO." he shrugged and took a potion. He turned to look at the others.

"What's the matter bots - afraid to get wet?"

---

<OOC: Gar rolled 15 using 1d20.  dex check.>

Romeroz hurled himself forward when it was clear they were to start, but his mind was swirling with what to tell his companions.


Romeroz spoke briefly to the group.  "Two of you.  Who is likely to go their own way, without the others?"



[Private to Chitterkit Snagglefang; Gar; GM; Lesstry Meadowscale; Thyra Thunderstruck: [OOC: 07:29, Today: Romeroz Gult rolled 8 using 1d20+4 ((4)).  Dexterity.  Oh well.]]

"A swimming contest? This lizards going to have a hay day!" Lesstry said grinning at Gar. He had reason to grin, he was a natural swimmer, all his people were. He stripped off his trench coat so as not to be weighed down and took the potion of water breathing in a single gulp. Then on go he hopped in and began swimming like he had business with the grotto.

---

OOC: Not sure if it'd effect this or not but Lesstry also has a 30ft movement speed in water.

06:37, Today: Lesstry Meadowscale rolled 15 using 1d20+4.  Dexterity Check.

"HmmMMmmMMmm," Chitterkit hummed to himself as he considered the predicament. The Kobold waved goodbye to his familiar before dismissing him into the safety of a pocket realm. He then hopped into the water and tried to swim. The Kobold's claws masterfully sliced through the water, but provided no traction or propulsion.

"Maybe bad time to say Chitterkit not know how to swim well..." he said in a garbled voice.

OOC:

21:42, Today: Chitterkit Snagglefang rolled 6 using 1d20+4.  Dex Check.