Shadowdale Harvest Festival (Updated Nov 17th)

As autumn begins, so does the harvest festival in Shadowdale. Farmers come out with their goods and produce to offer interesting foods and drinks to the citizens of Shadowdale and any travellers that may pass through the northern farmlands.

The first few days of the festival host a number of sparring competitions, much to the entertainment of the local folk.

Cider, wine and roast beef is offered as two of the city's finest soldiers duke it out in a spar to see who is the strongest. The one named the "Widowmaker" prevails over one of the lesser soldiers in this fight event. He is known and recognized by his two horn helmet.

The next day, the one named Richo challenges the Widowmaker for the title as the finest warrior of Shadowdale. The attending audience is filled with excitement as the two take the stage and take on each other to see who comes out victorious. In the end, the man named Richo is left standing, while the Widowmaker is knocked unconcious from the heavy hitting fists of Richo.

The Widowmaker is later seen leaving the festival grounds grumbling that he'll get his chance at revenge before the festival is over.

Later that day, a red wizard and his bodyguard take to the festival grounds to offer some of their merchandise after negotiating with the farmers for a trading booth.

The following day plays host to a friendly spar between Giah and Katherine. The event attracts a good number of folk to the festival grounds, and tasty roast boar and wine is served to the attendees. An older fellow also offers magical potions to those interested. He is rumoured to offer great prices for some of his potion wares.

It is also declared that a woman named Anna will be sponsoring more festivities to come.

Originally posted by TheElderEye

The announcement of the fight between the Zhentarim Soldier and the Bugbear Giant electrified the patrons of the harvest festival. The tension was thick in the air as the Soldier chatted idly with halflings. A confident smirk was etched on his face, as if knowing victory was ensured.

Boof. Boof
The rumbling earth and shaking shrubbery heralded the approach of something huge...
THOOMP, THOOMP
The spectators looked over to find a few Zhentarim Soldiers escorted a very large Bugbear to the arena. The scars of many battles decorated it's flat, wolflike visage. The 10 foot being stepped into the arena and simply snapped the bonds that held him with little more than brute force.

"Two Thousand on the beast!"

"One thousand on the Lucky Jack! Use that discipline"

Lucky Jack seemed to sweat confidence out of every pore and slid his pear out with no trouble. If the roaring brute didn't shake his willpower, nothing would have.

With the last bite of pumpkin pie he charged the Bugbear fearlessly. He ducked under the heavy swing of it's morningstar and retialiated with a thrust of his spear, leaving a nice, deep wound in its thigh. He quickly pulled it back out for another strike when he met the business end of the morningstar.

The sound of snapping is heard as the morningstar smashed against Jack's shoulder like waves upon a rocky shoreline. With a yelp of pain, Jack fell to one knee... Then was slammed by the brutes shield and went sprawling onto his back.

"I am the strongest there -...

What was this!?, the bugbear had thought to himself as he noticed a small Elven bard. Crush. Kill. Tear. Rend

Thoughts of violence and bloodshed filled the mind of the savage brute as he stared at the bard. After a slight pause he took his foot off the prone soldiers chest and flew into a rage, charging the elf with a mighty roar. The bardess screamed and turned around and ran off.

The Soldier quickly scrambled to his feet as the bugbear chased the elf and he knew he had little time. He had to end this. Jack wasn't quick enough to chase the giant, and a dislocated shoulder meant thrust was out of the picture... What could he do!?

With one hand he gripped his spear and widened his stance. The soldier knew he had only one chance, or else he'd be ridiculed for failure. With a hop-step and a half-run forward he threw the spear with all the strength his one arm could muster. He left the rest in Banes hands.

At this point, the bugbear had caught up to the screaming bard. He raised his morningstar high above his head and prepared to take the last blow... But then he felt a searing pain in his abdomen. A thick, warm stream of blood oozed out of his stomach and ran down his legs... The cause: A spear with the symbol of Bane etched on the tip.

He tried in vain to kill the elf in his final death throes but he only managed to cut her arm with the spike of his morningstar. Lucky Jack had triumphed over the barbarian.

"Hail Lucky Jack! Hail Bane!"

The soldier smirked and dragged his kill off to the barracks, leaving the crowd behind him to chant his name in glory.

Anna sponsors an archery contest the following day at the festival. This contest is met with great success as a dozen challengers attend and even more spectators do so. The farmers provide a very tasty boar roast and wine for the event.

Later on, during the finishing stages of the contest, an older farmer with a wagon shows up with kegs of ale and lager for the more alcohol-savvy attendees to savor.

The following day also comes with not so pleasant news. The man named Elkhazel pays a visit to the church of Chauntea to receive the mother's blessings. He looks gravely ill and pale when he does so. Rumours say that the man was sick from the boar roast the previous night.

If asked, the Chantea priestess will mention that someone put deadly poison into a piece of the roast that evening.

The pageant itself was a great success, there were over twenty people that showed up.

Things started off with a bang as everyone said what they'd do with the gold. Many said things like.. "Pay for new gear and equipment."--- Myu "I'm going to use it to buy everyone drinks when this is over with"-- Donnie; While others were a little more heartfelt.. "I just found out I have a son that I didn't know about! So this gold is going to go to him, to buy whatever he needs."-- Zhirahn

As the competitors readied themselves for the talent potion of the pageant, it was discovered that the chairs that were provided for the pageant were of poor construction. It was said that after much deliberation, three halflings decided to destroy them, leaving quite a mess for the farmers to clean up after the show. During the intermission, free ale was served if the watchers used a secret word in the transaction.

During the pageant, the competitors were asked to pose for pictures. Those that wanted a portrait were forever immortalized in a flurry of colorful portraits done by none other than the resident artist Cablen.


Rayna the talented bardess.


Myu the amazing juggler! (Runner up)


Francesca the poet! (Winner of the contest and Jackpot raffle winner)


Alicia the beautiful.


Donnie, the most popular orc at the festival! (Runner up)


Jaspar the drunk.


Aesyr the king of dance!


Giah the storyteller. (Winner of the contest)

Thanks to all that showed, if was guaranteed to be a wonderful showing.

*Rumor spreaded about the host being arrested after the Pageant, it is well known now that she will no longer be hosting events for shadowdale due to a mishap with the guards.*

As the final days of the festival approach, the remaining festivities are announced which shall bring a close to this year's Harvest Festival. The town crier informs the locals of the following news:



There shall be an performance by the mage known as Angiers for the final show of this year's festival. Any wishing to attend must bring the fifteen coin attendance fee with them.

A match between Lucky Jack and the Widowmaker has been scheduled after many requests and letters were given to his excellence, Lord Mourngrym. Betting will be available on the festival grounds.

For the closing of the festival, a great hunt will be taking place to please the lord Malar, so that the land and its beasts continue to prosper.

((The events surrounding all this will most likely be taking place over the next 4 days. For today and tomorrow, I will most likely be online roughly between 9pm EST and 12am EST)).