11 Saraju 720TR

[GM]

Time: Beginning 1st watch - Mid 2nd watch

The night is peaceful and without event as the hall ripples with the sounds of sleeping men and women.

The hall begins to come to life not long after Nolomar sheds its first rays of light upon the thran. Soon the hall stirs with movement as those that slept there overnight begin to prepare for the new day. There are jugs of water being brought out, the men from clan Storzar join the others as they wash the sleep from their faces. Some of those assembled look a little worse for wear after yesterdays entertainment.

The hall fills with the noise of talk and laughter of the men and women as they begin a new day.

Wood is put upon the fire to bring the flames to life and the warmth of the hearth fire can be felt pushing away the cold of the hall.

Outside the sky is visible through a thin veil of white cloud, Nolomar can be seen rising above the eastern mountains, the morning air is cool and a steady wind blows from the north east. A look at the signs would seem to indicate a good day with perhaps a little rain later today.

There is talk about the days challenges, the festivities today would normally include a melee (to determine the best warrior) and various trials of strength (to determine the strongest warrior) culminating with a dash about the village to find out who is the most fleet of foot. But word passes about the hall quickly that the melee has been cancelled both the Storzar and Daas Valhakars need every warrior fit and able for the coming fight and are going to break with tradition and stop the melee the other contests are planned to go ahead as normal though.

The ground outside promises to make the run a challenge as it is still filled with puddles and there is sheen upon the grounds indicating a muddy surface.

[Barak Daas]

Barak will eagerly put himself forward for the trial of strength and the race. He continues to feast, with a degree of moderation when in comes to the ale and mead. He also continues to wear both sword and knife throughout the day (except when competing) and keeping his treasure close at hand (he is wearing most of it)

[Bjarni Daasen]

Bjarni will rise, have a hair of the dog and try out the challenges of strength with his comrades.

[Barak Daas]

Before the competitions start, Barak will go round the periphery of the thran seeking any tracks that seem out of place. Given the weather and the feast, Barak expects people to have stayed with in the thran and on the main routes within the thran, so tracks away from that pattern could be suspicious and need investigation.

[GM]

Time: End of 2nd watch - Beginning 3rd watch

During the morning several large round rocks are removed from the temple and carried by at least four warriors down to the edge of the market square that borders the pasture. The rocks vary in size but from looking at them range in weight from about 50lbs to over 300lbs. Barrels are also placed nearby and left for later events.

Barak wanders the area about the thran while the morning preparations are being made, the only signs would seem to indicate a small amount of foot traffice along the roads to the east, west and south. Perhaps those attending the festivities returning to nearby clanhouses. The surrounding fields and pastures seem bare of any sign of someones passage through the area.

[Algared]

Algared will honour strive to honour Sarajin by entering every contest. He will cheer and encourage all competitors, congratulate all winners and heckle none.

In the morning he will spend time at "his glade" practicing gathering both odivshie and neutral principle and the ways of the Shek P'var.

[Bryndis Serewyn]

Bryndis will cheer and aid those she knows who are entering the contests, but will not do so herself... unless she's goaded into it

Post by GM If Bryn's companions do not goad her, she will find plenty of coaxing from others about the thran

[Barak Daas]

When Barak returns from his wandering around the thran he prepares for the weights and run. He sizes up the competition. He knows he may not win either event; but he expects to finish credibly in both.

[GM]

Nolomar continues to rise in the eastern sky and while the ground remains wet and muddy underfoot, the day itself is clear with a steady wind blowing in from the north east. The blue sky above can be seen through thick white clouds and the temperature is cool but not to uncomfortable.

A crowd continues to build about the thran of Ygesdram, the usual melee that would take place this morning has been cancelled due to the current war, the Valhakar does not wish to loose any more of his valuable warriors during the melee that might be needed for the coming fight.

Men, women and children flock to the thran to either take part in the coming competitions or to watch and cheer on the competitors. Small vendors begin to wander the thran selling a variety of foods and drinks for everyone and anyone to purchase. The atmosphere about the thran is cheery and alive. Kids run about the thran chasing each other or a variety of animals or playing at sword fighting. Men and women move about the thran trying to find good vantage points to watch the coming challenges.

Over the morning the number of clan Storzar increases within the thran too.

During the morning archery lanes are setup with a dozen targets erected indicating that the archery contest will be beginning soon.

[GM]

Time: Late morning.

"THE DAAS CALLS ALL MEN OF ABILITY WITH BOW TO COME FORWARD AND DISPLAY THEIR SKILL, COME NOW AND BRING HONOUR TO YOUR NAME!" the call is heard from the market above the din of the crowd calling for all those intending to compete in the archery contest, quickly a crowd begins to gather about the archery lanes and competitors begin to flock to the lanes as well. The call is made several more times with a pause in between before the calls cease.

The sellers continue to push through the crowds plying their various wares. Jabor has now established a small bench near the edge of the market square where both he and his girls now sell tankards of ale and mead. The thrans huscarls can be seen wandering the market place keeping a watchful eye on the assemble crowd.

On display near the archery lanes is a shortbow with a quiver of arrows - clearly part of the prize for winning the contest.

[Borygg Raal]

Borygg will compete, not because he thinks he can win but to measure his skill against that of the other archers of the thran in the eyes of the Daas and Sarajin.

[Bjarni Daasen]

Bjarni will enter the agility and strength competitions. He thinks he can do pretty well at both.

[Barak Daas]

Barak will be keen to enter the archery competition. Given the opportunity he will enter them all. He has the least confidence with the stone lift, but will be guides by the stones he could lift in last year's competition.

[Bryndis Serewyn]

With enough goading, Bryndis will enter the strength and agility contests.
While she does not expect to win either, she does hope to make a good show (ie not be the first eliminated).

[Algared]

Algared participates in the all the contests and uses his staff sling if allowed (any extra practice is a good thing) he will support all, favor none, insult none and take offense at none.. and like all will seek to do his best to honour his God.

Post by GM You are not able to use the staff sling for the archery event

[Sigrun Surenaal]

Sigrun is distant, both figuratively and literally, keeping watch from the hill near the river. She has no joy in her for such celebrations these days.

[GM]

Borygg and Barak are the only two from the warband that choose to compete and they join a growing number of competitors. The archers begin to gather and prepare for the coming contest, some stroke feathers preparing their arrows other run fingers along arrow heads while some run an eye along their arrow shafts to ensure they are straight.

By the time the registrations are taken there are nearly two hundred men gathered ready for the competition. Men wander the assembled crowd calling for wagers on the competitors.

Contestants are called forward a dozen at a time to shoot. There is cheering and jeering with every arrow and each competitor finds the noise of the previous arrow distracting. But everyone has the same disadvantage and so the game continues.

Borygg is the first of the warband to compete. Borygg's first arrow is caught by the wind and sails past the target without finding its mark. His next three arrows find their mark and for his first round he scores a respectable 6 points.

Barak is next to fire. Gathering his four arrows he moves forward and the arrow finds it mark in the outer ring, his next two arrows find the next inner ring while his fourth arrow lands in close proximity to his first, for Barak's first round he also scores 6 points.

After the first round of competition there is one competitor on 10 points he is known as Varn Hilstrom he is the Storzar's huntmen. Another 4 competitors are on 9 points, with another 4 competitors on 8 points, another 20 or so archers are on 6 points, the remainder are on 5 points or less. With the vast majority on 4 points or less.

[Barak Daas]

With his second round Barak curses under his breath since he obviousl won't win the competition.

Knowing he has lost he will cheer the remaining competitors on and congratulate the winner.

[GM]

With the first round of firing complete the targets are moved a further 100' back and the second round of firing. Borygg is the first of the warband to fire, drawing back his bow his first arrow misses the target by a few inches, the second arrow misses the target by quite some distance. Taking pause Borygg gathers his concentration and releasing his thrid arrow, it finds its mark in the outer ring, this arrow is followed by the fourth one which like its predecessor finds its mark in the outermost ring for a total of two points for this round.

While Borygg is completing his round Barak steps forward to begin his round. With the wind obviously causing some concern on the archery field, Barak's first two arrows fail to find their mark, during his third shot the string on his bow snaps causing his arrow to fall well short of its target. Repairing his bow Barak can feel the competition slipping through his fingers. Barak fires his fourth arrow which finds its mark for two points.

Other competitors take their turns firing. While Barak stands waiting for his last round, Jabor approaches him and with a smile upon his face says "I wagered 10 silvers on you to win this!" Jabor also informs Barak that quite a few others have done the same. Apparently Jabor has been singing your praises as a hunter and so quite a few wagers have been made with Barak to win the contest.

Varn Hilstrom has scored a respectable seven points during this round of shooting and looks to be the certain winner.

With the third and last round of shooting about to commence the competitors await the tally of this rounds scores before once again taking their positions on the firing line. Borygg is the first of the warband again to shoot. Taking aim Borygg releases his first arrow which like his previous rounds fails to find the target. However, his third arrow finds the target and scores two points, his third arrow is his best shot of the day and scores a bullseye for five points but he is unable to follow up on his success and the fourth arrow fails to score any points as it misses the target.

Barak's next round is abysmal as none of his arrows strike the target. Varn Histrom takes out the competition with a third round of score of nine, his first arrow scores a bullseye for five points, his second arrow scores an inner for 3 points, while drawing back for his third shot his bowstring breaks and his arrow fall well short of its target and his fourth arrow scores 1 point. Varn's total of 26 points is enough to give him the winnings.

The overall looser of the competition was Hosin Geldrin a young lad from the thran of Orebro - he had not drawn a bow before but thought that today would be a good day to compete so he borrowed his uncles bow and joined in the competition. Not a single arrow found it's mark for a total of zero, despite his poor score he was cheered like all the other competitors that took part.

Varn spends some time after the competition being celebrated by not only the other competitors but also those that won and lost money on the betting too.

With Nolomar now high in the sky the day is still clear but the wind has begun to pick up a little, the temperature is still cool with few clouds in the sky. Soon the calls for the next event begin to be heard above the constant noise of those gathered about. "THE DAAS CALLS ALL MEN OF STOUT HEART AND STOUT MUSCLE TO TEST THEIR METTLE AGAINST THE STONES OF BJARRI!" with the archery lanes now bare men begin to gather about the market and pasture eyeing off the stones, deciding which they will attempt to lift.

[Barak Daas]

After the match Barak says to Jabor "I was robbed. I never shoot as bad as that. Either the gods have cursed me, or my arrows have become distorted from the bellies of the Ibanvaal, whereas the Storzar's have said perfect in the quiver. If I had a rematch I would beat him. But what is done is done."

Post by GM Jabor laughs "Has naught to do with the gods" he says "it was not your day tis nothing more" Jabor adds "you have provided for many a table and every knows your talents with the bow, but remember skill alone only counts for some much" Jabor puts a reassuring hand on Barak's shoulder "sometimes you need to be lucky too!" Jabor listens to Barak as he continues to speak "I don't doubt you would give him a run for his money, but there is no dishonour in loosing, only dishonour in not loosing gracefully" he smiles before adding "now let me get you an ale before the 'stones' I don't want to loose anymore money" he nearly bursts into fits of laughter at his own joke.

[Bjarni Daasen]

Bjarni claps Barak and Borryg on their shoulders. "Never mind shipmates, look at the bright side. I never lost any money on you."

[Barak Daas]

"Jabor, as much as I enjoy your ale, I think it is no more ale for me until the competitions are over."

When there is a gap around him, Barak will personally congratulate Varn and ask if he too is competing for the stones.

Post by GM "Thanks" Varn says "Oh aye! tis much honour to be gained by competing here!" Varn smiles "Matters not whether we win or loose it enjoying the chase and the competition that matters" turning to walk away Varn says "Come, share an ale with me before the competition starts" heading towards the nearest stall of ale Varn says "I am Varn Hilstrom huntsman for the Storzar! You from Ygesdram?"

[GM]

Erling Storzar and his family have arrived with Cunate Daas and his family to gather about the market square and pasture to watch the coming events. They arrived to catch the last of the archery event. With the archery range now removed, the pastures are cleared for the stone lift. The heavy round stones are carried out and placed in full view of the crowd. Erling and Cunate have a prize vantage point to be able to watch the coming events.

The wind has once again started to pick up, the wind continues to come from the north east and the day remains fair.

Groups begin to form about the stones as the competitors gather about ready to begin their lifts. The warband gathers about the 200lb stone except Algared who stands about the heavier stone waiting his turn to lift.

First of the warband to lift is Bryndis. Her first lift is made to look easy, she lifts the stone to her waist and then lowers the stone back to the ground. Approving nods come from those watching her lift. While taking a break between her lifts other competitors are taking their turn to lift including Barak, Borygg, Bjarni and Meldun. Only Borygg fails his first lift, the stone slips between his fingers as he attempted to lift the stone above his knees.

Even Algared is able to make the first lift - the effort required for the heavier stone has him doubting his next two attempts though. During Algared's second lift he feels a pinch in the small of his back and narrowly avoids dropping the heavy stone on his foot. His third attempt is also unsuccessful.

The other competitors in the warband attempt their second lifts - this time it is Meldun who lets the stone slip from his grasp. Everyone else is able to successfully complete their second lifts. All the warriors in the warband are able to complete their third lifts on the 200lb stone as well.

Bjarni and Barak move on to the 250lb stone. Borygg and Meldun now await the competitors who made all three lifts on the 150lb stone to now attempt their lifts on the 200lb stone. While Algared does the same for the 250lb stone.

Barak is the first to lift the heavier 250lb stone but is not able to make his first lift and while attempting his second lift lets the stone slip from his grasp but while avoiding the heavy stone he lands akwardly and slightly injures his left ankle as he twists out of the way of the falling stone. Barak is not able to successfully lift the stone for his third attempt either as the irregularly shaped stone slips between his fingers only few inches off the ground.

Bjarni is the next to lift and he easily makes all three attempts to lift the heavy stone.

Bryndis then steps up for her attempts at the heavier stone. Grabbing the stone she lifts the rock upto her waist with ease. Her second attempt fares less well and she is not able to make the lift successfully, Bryn's third attempt however is successful though.

With everyones now (except Bjarni) now with unsuccessful lift they now need to pick up the stone and carry it as far as possible. Meldun attempts to lift the stone but fails in his attempt to even lift the weight. Borygg is next, he easily hoists the stone up to his waist he begins to move quickly with the stone hoisted against his hips he manages a respectable 60' carrying the stone before he can no longer manage the stone and it falls to the ground. Other competitors take their turn to carry the stone, some are unable to lift the stone at all, others fail to gain a suitable purchase on the smooth surface and only take a few steps before the stone falls from their grasp.

Bryndis is the first of the warband to attempt the carry on the 250lb stone, she easily hoists the stone upto her waist but after only a few steps the smooth surface of the stone begins to slip through her finges and she drops the stone to the ground. Unfortunately Barak and Algared failed to meet the required two successful lifts to attempt the next carry.

Bjarni has moved up to the 300lb stone and is only able to make one of the lifts.

The winner of the 50lb stone was Daan Leirdan an apprenticed metalsmith from the thran of Sksye.

The winner of the 100lb stone was Karri Valdric one of the Storzar's men.

The winner of the 150lb stone was Bjen Leirsaan a fisherman from the thran of Tarnbro.

The winner of the 200lb stone was Borygg Raal a mercantyler from Ygesdram.

The winner of the 250lb stone was Laars Nildrom a labourer from the thran of Yetin

The winner of the 300lb stone was Dern Hilsen a longshoreman from Ygesdram.

As each winner is called out there is much applause and cheering from the assembled crowd. Cunate and Erling both appreciate the efforts of their clansmen. The market and the pasture continue to buzz with activity, food sellers continue to wander throught the crowd selling their wares. The gulls continue to cry from the nearby empty docks.

Near where Erling and Cunate are seated a call rings out to the assembled crowd "TO THOSE NIMBLE AND LITHE CHANCE YOUR FATE AND AVOID THE SPEARS!" the call now goes out for the those that wish to attempt the test of agility to prepare themselves.

[Borygg Raal]

After not shooting so well in the archery competition, Borygg hadn't really planned to enter the stone contest. Nonetheless, he is pleased with his performance and accepts any congratulations offered. Feeling Sarajin may be smiling his way today, Borygg will stretch and shake any kinks out of his limbs and join those entering the tests of agility.

[Algared]

Algared congratulates the winners, and the efforts of all in their efforts to honour Sarajin. He also enters the next contest.

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