As the season grows colder and the city hunkers down for the winter months, it breaks out of hibernation once for the annual Reindeer Games. And this year’s games have already gotten off to an exciting start! We’ve been following the developing story of Fool’s March’s sudden team switch, following the mysterious abdication of the originally selected players.
The reserves called up to assist Fool’s March in its hour of need are none other than the…mildly famous Cassius’ Cleaners, formerly based at Sherlock Home. In an ironic twist, the adventurers had recently relocated to a more upscale headquarters in Philomath, but were willing to answer the call when one Brousmac (an official city courier) delivered the invitation to take part in the solstice celebrations. As the newcomers were last-minute additions, their orientation and uniform fittings required an accelerated timetable, but not before the titular Cash managed to cash in on his fresh-minted title of Fool’s March Champion to get absolutely hammered and…satisfied? at The Equal Jester. His long-suffering friend and bodyguard, Taren the Potato Knight, managed to wrangle the seriously hung-over half-elf, guiding him to Triumph House at City Center.
“Yes, they arrived. Two hours late. Inconsiderate, demanding, sneaky… That red-headed one reeking with day-old ale-breath… I suppose they were excellent stand-ins for Fool’s March values, but it’s not the group I would have picked…” commented Eradash, the half-orc caretaker of Triumph House (the Fool’s March compound within City Center). “At first I thought they were merely incompetent, but their constant insistence that I provide them with…mini-quiche upgraded their status to rude…individuals.”
While Eradash had few compliments for the Champions, the official Reindeer Games’ clothier, Srebonni, was much more positive: “The new group? Delightful! Oh, the little ones were just adorable. Though I’ll admit I lost sight of the one with the funny hat for a moment. That might have been because the big fellow was telling me about his marvelous potato innovations… And that half-elf? What a charming rascal!”
Properly attired in the official colors of Fool’s March (a deep, velvety purple), the Cassius Cleaners headed to the Opening Night banquet, where the various teams were introduced. While we focused mainly on the Fool’s March Team, other notable participants include Captain Steven “Ten” Falkan for the Golden Cape team, Toradrinn Emberfell with Tinker Town, the long-serving Tessa Landriss representing Skyleaf, and several familiar faces from the Philomath area: Gregory Serpentwood, Virgil the Valiant, and Tobias “Barrel” Flagstone.
After the other teams were presented, the Fool’s March Five (the four Cleaners members now joined, inexplicably, by the city courier Brousmac, who was now insisting everyone call him Lil’ B) put on an extraordinary tour de force, as the various members showcased remarkable skills, led by the master illusionist gnome Nesbar Demonmage.
The formal presentation was capped with a quick rundown of the Reindeer Games’ history by the legendary gameskeeper, Derek Hollystone. Decked out in his traditional white fur-lined red robes and wearing his omnipresent dashing smile, the master of ceremonies offered a few hints at the events to come, telling the contestants that the first challenge would require a keen knowledge of Clearcrest’s history, and directing them all to the Septentrion’s main campus to participate the following morning.
While the majority of the evening that followed proceeded as your standard meet-and-greet, we did manage to grab a quick quote from all of the Fool’s March Champions on what it meant to them to be chosen participants:
Taren Hornraven: “Oh, I uh, I’m pretty excited. We got pretty nice robes for it, right? And I think we’ll probably do pretty well. That was a pretty cool trick with the hammer, eh? Love that hammer…”
Nesbar: “I wonder what we can get out of all this? Do you think I could steal these robes after the event?”
Graw Blackfoot: “Why am I here, even? I just wanted to check out the city’s resources on demon-possession. How the hell did I end up mixed up in this nonsense??”
Cash: “…Did he say…’Septentrion’? I have to go now…”
Brousmac “Lil’ B”: “Hey guys! Look at me now guys! I’m a CHAMPION!”
The following day found our Champions assembled at the Septentrion for the first challenge. Curiously, Cash appeared to have been viciously assaulted by a furiously shedding weasel in the night. In addition to dark circles under his eyes, the sorcerer had a truly artless patchwork of fake facial hair glued to his face, along with a hideous dye job… However, his appearance was quietly ignored, as the first competition turned out to be something akin to a trivia quiz game. The world-famous Egitrix the Enchanter presented, with each district being asked a series of questions revolving around Clearcrest’s history, current events, and notable figures. The games tested the mental meddle of the contestants, with Fool’s March remaining competitive throughout.
Once the initial test was completed, Derek Hollystone invited all of the contestants to prepare for the following day’s event which, he hinted, would require “a little luck and some physical skill.” To be held north of Compario Park at the Dragonbone Field, this event promises to be a gladiatorial battle to remember. We’ll be watching as the events unfold, and will report every harrowing detail to our loyal readers. Be sure to read the next edition for a full report.
The Clearcrest Chronicle 