[Game Thread] The Sun Festival

[rpgveteran]

As the people gather from nearby villages, Carphome starts to become crowded and noisy. This is a good sign, if the crowd is quiet with worry about the weather, it might mean the Sun Season hasn't started yet.

When the sun's already up but not at its peak, Manyara enters the Sun Chamber, a temporary hut built as protection from the hot noon sun. The Speakers follow the old man, and together they start to chant quietly. They don't raise their volume, but rather wait until all the gathered crowd falls silent, letting the chant fill the vicinity.

Then, one by one, people join the chant with humming, making the slow wavy melody a quiet buzz.

A after a few minutes of this, a young woman steps out of the crowd, walks up to the hut, and places a basket in front of it. The basket is covered by reed leaves, but everyone knows what's inside: a gift, either as a comliment for some advice, or an opening gesture before asking for some.

 

This is the opening of the festival, all of you are there, and should participate (at least in the song). But also feel free to add your own gift -- don't worry though, only about a third of the crowd does this.

[kaylara]

Coralia Shallowtide The fish lady... After talking the short journey from her sea tribe to the sun festival, Cora was filled with joy. Being a mermaid had its pros and cons, but nothing compared to the vast experience of trying new foods and seeing all sorts of creatures and animals on land. Having seen most of the common animals and livestock, it was always a beauty discovering one she never seen before as long as it wasn't trying to turn her into dinner like the tiger she once saw from the safety of the water. As she walks thru the busy street sampling foods, she stopped for a moment to rest her tail. While resting a small sea elf child whose probably seen more seasons cycle than Cora. The small child sat next to Cora and asked, I never saw a sea folk like you. Could I touch you tail? Cora gave the young boy a small chuckle and friendly smile, Normally, that's a sign of affection between merfolk. But I understand your curiosity. Sure. she commented and the child placed a hand on her tail. Cold, clammy... he comments then sniffs near her tail, No fish smell... Cora's expression began to change as the child began asking several questions at a very fast speed. How do you walk without legs, doe's it hurt, do you fall often, how long do you live, what it's like... Cora cut him off, Hey now, that's a lot to ask someone you just walked up and met. she began to remark as the child spoke up, I'm sorry, my mamma always said I talk too much sometimes. Oh no, im late for lunch, mom is going to kill me. Thanks fish lady... he commented as he ran away... Little... she began thinking to herself then wiped the thought away when she smelled some fresh smoked food cooking. She stands upright, her strong tail supporting her body as she moves away from the bench and over to the food stall. Having cooked food was a delicacy for people who are often underwater and smoked foods were her favorite. As she samples the food, she can't help but hear the subtle chant. She thanks the vendor then makes her way to the area by the hut and noticed the woman leave the basket. Not wanting to disrespect the custom, she joins in with the chanting as she looks around and notices a tall, willowy elf woman who has long blue-black hair, sea-green skin, and eyes of light emerald standing near another sea elf as both seemed geared from adventuring. Perhaps they just traveled here as well... wow that's a tall one...a beautiful color green too... she thought to herself before trying to pick up the chant.

OOC/Stats Cora interacts with a bench/treestump, child, and food vendor as she made way to the hut and saw Llwandel Quenyatia and Manoka. Initiative: ... Bonus action: ... Action: ...   Cora’s Stat block (Character Sheet) HP: 10/10 | Armor Class: 11 | Senses: Passive Perception 14 | Amphibious, MV20/50 swim Spells per day: 3 - used: 0 Prepared Spells: 1st level: Goodberry, Entangle, Healing Word Cantrips: Prestidigitation, Produce Flame, Frostbite Active Spells: -- None -- Str -1 | Dex +0| Con +4 | Int +4| Wis +4 | Chr +2Saves | Animal Handling +4 | Insight +4 | Nature +4 | Perception +4 | Survival +4Skills | Common, Merfolk, Aquan, DruidicLanguages

[HexenArzt]

Manoka walks around the festival, smiling at the children running carefree. She reminisces the first festival she attended when she was a youngster. As she walks around watching the people, Manoka smells fried fish balls from a vendor and hurries over to order. Fish balls were airways her favorite food at the festival.

While waiting for her food, she watches a small sea elf child interact with a mermaid. She doesn't remember the last time she has seen a mermaid out of the water. Manoka watches Cora move away towards another food vendor.

When her food is ready Manoka hears the chant and enthusiastic joins in. She digs through her bag for her gift, a small gem from deep in the ocean, and heads up to place it next to the basket with the other gifts.

[rpgveteran]

For a while people walk to the hut with gifts, but eventually that stops and everyone enjoys the sun's warm rays and the chanting lead by the Speakers. After about half an hour of this soothing chant, it gradually quiets down and Oluchi turns to the crowd with a serene smile on her face.

The next part of the ceremony involves much louder shouts of short good wishes, which everyone can join, but people don't wait for wach other now. As this second part also fades out, the drummers produce their instruments, all made by the owner.

And the dance begins. It's a freeform dance of greeting the sun season, and people start to chat about the future, make friends and look for allies.

A young lake folk woman moves near Cora. "It's good to see a child of the sea among us, on land. What brings you here? Are you going to participate in the coming-of-age tests, or are you going to be a Watcher for the young ones? I'm Nayange, and this is my day to prove I'm a hunter, not a child any more."

Not far from the two women, a duo of elder riverkin inquire Manoka about her life. "Greetings, woman of the lakes. We are Launna and Iquinn, and we're from the source of the Sparkle, near the Falls. Have you seen the lakes that form in the basins at the feet of the Falls?"

[HexenArzt]

"Greetings to you as well." Manoka slightly bows her head in respect to her elders. "I haven't yet, though I have been meaning to. "

[The Rat Queen]

Llwandel Quenyatia, Paladin of Mother Ocean Llwandel had always enjoyed the Sun Festival. As far back as she could remember, for nearly a century, she had always attended - first with her parents, and now on her own, having recently declared her adult name. Of course, her parents were here, and they had all arrived together, but she felt like she was attending for the first time as an independent. After milling around and greeting those she knew, and introducing herself to a few she hadn't, she gathered with the others for the ritual chant. It was her favorite part, honestly; it felt like they were all communicating directly to Mother Ocean, and it never failed to send shivers through her. Once the elders had begun the chant, she joined the crowd in lending her voice, a melodic mezzo-soprano that mingled with the voices around, intertwining with them and joining them together. When the basket was placed, she worked her way through the crowd to donate. Kneeling, she made a simple gift of wrapped food as an offering, humble compared to some of the donated items. She hoped someday she would be worthy enough to leave a better offering, but for now she hoped the Mother would understand. Standing back up, she chatted a bit longer, until the next part of the ceremony began. While the chanting was her favorite part, the dancing came in a close second, though she was more self-conscious about the dancing. She was always afraid that her dancing would look too much like combat, and in truth the moves were very similar. However, it was more because she treated her combat like dancing than treating dancing like combat. She joined in with the other dancers, getting into her spinning and weaving dance, her limbs flowing like a rushing river, her hair flashing and whipping about like foam on the rapids. She danced for a good long time, working up a glowing sheen that caused her skin to glisten, before finally taking a break and working her way back past the outer ring of observers. Finding a vendor selling beverages, she sought to quench her thirst. As she rested and drank, she noted the elders nearby and bowed respectfully.

OOC Llwandel Quenyatia Movement: Action: Bonus Action: Reaction: Condition: Environmental Effects: HP: 13/13 AC: 16 PP: 13 Darkvision: 60'   Features: Attacks: Melee, +5 to hit, 1d8+3 damage (x2)Dual Rapiers; Melee/ranged, +5 to hit, 1d4+3 damage, 20/60'Dagger Actions: Within 60 ft., detect presense of undead, celestial, or fiend. Also detect consecrated or desecrated object or place (use 3 times/long rest).Divine Sense (3/3), You have a healing pool of 5 HPs, with it you can heal a creature or expend 5 points to cure disease or neutralize poison.Lay on Hands (5/5) Bonus Actions: Features, Traits, and Feats: Trance 4 hrs. instead of sleep 8.Trance, When you need to, you can secure free passage on a sailing ship for yourself and your adventuring companions. You might sail on the ship you served on, or another ship you have good relations with (perhaps one captained by a former crewmate). Because you're calling in a favor, you can't be certain of a schedule or route that will meet your every need. Your Dungeon Master will determine how long it takes to get where you need to go. In return for your free passage, you and your companions are expected to assist the crew during the voyage.Ship's Passage, Advantage on charmed saves and immune to sleep magic.Fey Ancestry, You have a swimming speed of 30 feet, and you can breathe air and water.Child of the Sea, Using gestures and sounds, you can communicate simple ideas with any beast that has an innate swimming speed.Friend of the Sea, +1 bonus to AC while wielding a separate melee weapon in each hand; use two-weapon fighting with one-handed weapons that aren't light; draw or stow two one-handed weapons at a time.Dual Wielder, Add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.Fighting Initiate - Two-Weapon Fighting Spells and Magical Feats: Spell Slots: L1   0/0   First Level:

[kaylara]

Coralia Shallowtide The fish lady... Cora smiles at Nayange, Thank you for the warm welcome and congratulations. Yes I will partake. I am new to this and do not fully understand the competition. Perhaps we could team up and work together? I have been training as a druid and could aid you in navigation, survival and healing. she commented not knowing the full contest details.

OOC/Stats Initiative: ... Bonus action: ... Action: ...   Cora’s Stat block (Character Sheet) HP: 10/10 | Armor Class: 11 | Senses: Passive Perception 14 | Amphibious, MV20/50 swim Spells per day: 3 - used: 0 Prepared Spells: 1st level: Goodberry, Entangle, Healing Word Cantrips: Prestidigitation, Produce Flame, Frostbite Active Spells: -- None -- Str -1 | Dex +0| Con +4 | Int +4| Wis +4 | Chr +2Saves | Animal Handling +4 | Insight +4 | Nature +4 | Perception +4 | Survival +4Skills | Common, Merfolk, Aquan, DruidicLanguages