[EVENT | TALENT TOURNEY] LET THE GAMES BEGIN

[khuimods]

Characters: All
Date: June 5-20
Location: Aifaran Fairgrounds
Situation: The Talent Tourney is finally here! Whether you're there as a participant or a spectator, it's a city-wide event that has everyone's spirits high.
Warnings/Rating: TBA if needed


The fifth of June dawns, and the city is abuzz with excitement, even at the small hours of the morning. Tourists have come from all over the remaining civilizations of Konryu to watch the Dreamfolk compete in this renowned magic tourney. Vendors have invaded the streets and are selling merchandise and fried things on sticks at exorbitant prices, and some of them could generously be termed as exotic and, perhaps less charitably, really freaking weird and only possibly intended to be edible.

The Talent Tourney opens with a vibrant display of the mundane and the magical, as both Dreamfolk and representatives of the Alliance races gather together to celebrate the most ephemeral group of its citizens. The opening ceremonies feature a parade route through the streets of Aifaran that starts near the Dreaming Bridge and culminates at the temporary tournament grounds by the old piers. Whether or not a Dreamfolk has opted to participate in the Tourney itself, this is a great opportunity to see demonstrations of dance and music by other cultures. If they're out on the streets as the parade begins, they may find themselves roped into it if they're recognized.

The competitive portion of the Tourney begins on the 6th. The events are divided not only by skill level but by school, in order to keep the competition fair and enjoyable - it would be difficult to properly compare an artistic Illusionist and a Conjurer of imps, for example. There are also open contests, where individuals of any Talent school may participate, and these are geared towards those with more flexible Talents or simply those who like taking on a good challenge.

And even though the Tourney is intended to be a fun, no-pressure (aside from friendly competition) event, like any city with an underside, there are still people who want to capitalize on it. Which is why people, both Dreamfolk and non, may find themselves approached by some shady characters who intimate that for just a small fee, they can get in on some underground betting with great odds.

('Great' being a relative term, depending on the potential of wins or losses, but isn't that the same with any gambling?)

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OOC Notes: This event log is for all characters, whether participants or as attendees of the Tourney! If the pre-made starters don't suit your needs, toss in your own, these are just ideas for getting started. Regarding challenge participants, we are leaving the characters' wins/losses to player discretion, and only ask that they be kept realistic. If you have any questions, please ask them here. Have fun!

Comments

A

[afoolsgold]

Today, Trahearne has a rescuer. Not one particularly adept at fending off attackers of the usual variety, but absconding with Trahearne from a mob of well-intentioned but annoying locals was something he could do.

"There you are!"

The Fool's voice carries loudly enough over Trahearne's crowd of admirers that many of them turn to look back at him quizzically, thus making it quite easy for him to swan through them towards his friend with a delighted smile on his face. (He's decked out dramatically for the tourney of course, all shades of teal and turquoise; the Fool does not ascribe to the 'less is more' school of thought regarding one's wardrobe choices. Less is not more. More is more.) He slides up to his friend's side and links arms with him, meeting his eyes long enough to communicate a general sense of 'roll with me here.'

"I've been looking all over the place for you. Did you forget about our reservation?" An artless gesture with one hand, and he's already strolling along the walkway, leading Trahearne away as he does so. "No matter--I am well acquainted with the head chef now, you see, I am certain I shall be able to arrange for something."

[necrocabbage]

Trahearne looked much like a deer facing down a hunter with this particular crowd. By the time the Fool arrived at his side, they had already draped Trahearne's neck and shoulders with glass beads and paper streamers, in preparation for pushing him out into the parade. As mild as the sylvari's expressions tend to be, he still has to struggle to not look utterly relieved as the Fool leads him away. It's not difficult to match his pace, not when he was just as eager to get out of there. "That's good of you. I was starting to get hungry."

Once they're a little further away, Trahearne lowers his voice as much as he dares to with the noise of all the people around them. "I'll have to thank whichever god sent you my way at the right time. I'm starting to look like a Wintersday tree." He tugged away a section of a yellow streamer that had gotten wound around his arm, the thin paper tearing easily. "Half of them were already a little nectared, I think. I know I saw a bottle change hands."

[afoolsgold]

Leaning in to hear him over the crowd, the Fool soon breaks into another laugh and pats his friend's arm. "Now you make me rather regret delaying your promenade," he teases dryly, then points towards a break in the crowd that leads back towards the tourney grounds. "Let us venture that way. I expect your crowd of admirers will have found someone else to fuss over by now, but a different route might still be best."

There are all manner of stands en route to the grounds with vendors selling the usual variety of fair food and other trinkets--well, usual for Aifaran, that is, which means it is all delightfully new and exquisite for the Fool. Like a magpie he flits first towards one and then another; evidently his story about knowing a chef was a complete fabrication. When he turns to Trahearne with two sticks covered by what appears to be gleaming gemstones, he remarks with a smile, "This is a food, I am told! Would you like to try it, or allow me to assume the risk?"

[necrocabbage]

"You'll have other opportunities to see me embarrassed, I'm sure." Trahearne shook his head at the Fool before following him towards the tourney grounds, continuing to tug paper streamers off of him. He did keep the beads, though, a little more unwilling to leave those on the ground for the unwary to slip on. And those didn't look quite as terrible, he had to admit.

Though he's trailing behind the Fool somewhat, Trahearne is just as interested by the various wares being sold, and doesn't at all mind getting to see so much of it just by following in his wake. When he's offered the food, Trahearne takes one of the sticks to peer more closely at the 'food'. "Thank you. Given those risks, it may affect you more than it would affect me." He's not even sure how to start eating it. If it was as hard as it looked, did it need to be sucked on?

"You know, I am quite glad I ran into you. I have a question, and you're perhaps one of the most qualified people I know to answer it."

[afoolsgold]

"You know, I am quite glad I ran into you. I have a question, and you're perhaps one of the most qualified people I know to answer it."

The Fool is still puzzling over the peculiar treat he has collected from the vendor when Trahearne asks him that question. Lifting his eyes, he gives his friend a wry look, the corners of his mouth pulled into a incredulous smile. "Oh dear," he replies, almost laughing as he says the words, then adds, "and what quandary would a Fool be most qualified to answer?" There's plenty of whimsy in his words, of course, but his gaze is genuine and thoughtful.

[necrocabbage]

Trahearne, meanwhile, had taken a brief taste of the gemstone-like food and found it was more sour than he had expected. Removing it back out of his mouth, he gave it an odd look before turning his gaze back to the Fool.

"Oh, I think you're absolutely qualified for this one. Is it... strange to you that I always wear the same leaves each day?" His next words came out in more of a hurry, "I'm usually more concerned with comfort and utility, but it's not impossible to change my leaves, and - it's odd to not wear anything different for special occasions, is it? Does it seem like I'm not putting in the effort by not choosing to wear something like more typical clothing?"

Trahearne was perhaps a fair bit more worried about it than he needed to be.

[afoolsgold]

In response, the Fool's first instinct is to laugh, eyes brightening with humour. "Oh, but I think you are indeed asking the wrong person for advice, don't you think?" And rather pointedly he flourishes an elegant bow for Trahearne, showing off the veritable rainbow of colourful, rich fabrics he has chosen to swathe himself in today: bright teals and turquoises, scarlets and gold, some that glitter when the light catches the threads at just the right angle. More is more, Trahearne. Remember?

He straightens back up with an impish smile curling up the corners of his lips. "But you must tell me now that you have piqued my interest--what special occasion has you so preoccupied with thoughts of how you garb yourself?"

(c'mon, dish the details.)

[necrocabbage]

Trahearne shook his head at the Fool's showing off. "No, I think I very much do have the right person. Being clad like a butterfly suits you far better than it would suit me, but it's clear that you still have an eye for this sort of thing." Besides, when other sylvari could grow their own flowers and could be quite colorful all on their own, it made the Fool's fashion choices not seem quite as unusual.

He did hesitate briefly then, having to consider how to answer such a question. Yes, the Fool was his friend, but this was still a bit embarrassing. Trahearne cleared his throat and finally said, "I had a rather pleasant date recently, and I intend on returning the favor. That's all."