The Festival of the Vernal Equiniox Has Come to Orm and Other News...

Another fortnite has passed in the Ur-Dun region. Spring  Here are the top stories everyone in the taverns and market of Orm have been talking about:

The adventurers of the Drinking Crow held a proper burial for recently fallen fellow party members Rustam of the Twin Lakes, Fräänk Shäärk, and minion to Elvria Wyld, Tom the Ax Bro. Gabby held a reception at the Crow afterwards.

The Burning Witch has been a flurry of activity among the itinerant treasure-seekers that have been swashing about Orm of late. Rosey, barkeep of the Witch, has been grateful for the extra coin as the youthful lager louts known to hang their capes at the establishment seem to be of dwindling numbers these days. When not offering toasts to Feeble Finn and his lost leg nor to PakPak the Kobold and his lost toes, the ale guzzlers buzz as to what large scale sortie the gnome Gawoosh seems to be concocting.

Unionization! Figurehead of the youthful tuffs of the Burning Witch (and Prestidigitation) Banx has organized in solidarity the previously mentioned tuffs, the Redbeard Bros., and castaways from the Holy Imperial Galley The Suzerain's Revenge into unified labor force. After the death of Banx's childhood friend, Looney Luna, the "Squire" of the vat-born gladiator Hate Pit could no longer take the low balling, disrespect, and reckless endangerment of the adventuring class. The paperwork has been filed with the Rani. Adventurers should look for standardized rates and loss of life fees within the next fortnight.

Subtle Chateau resident Mully Short has absconded owing three months rent. As Mully was a longtime resident of some standing (as to be honest, who at the Subtle Chateau is of good standing?), the landlord of the flophouse Gentleman-in-Rags is a little flummoxed. Still, he offers free room for a year to any that collects the rent from the absentee shell-artist.

The Vernal Equinox arrived a week ago and so to the anniversary of the ascension of the legendary Overlord Zotul four aeons ago. His passion play performed, livestock have been ceremonially mated, and the traditional cherry wine drunk. Events this year were a little low key as the Rani appeared only to perform the twilight rites.

Player Characters looking to participate int festivities this year can post in the comments below to spend a downtime activity to participate, rolling an save versus poison along with a d12 roll on the table below.

d12	You spend the week of the Equinox Festivial...
1.	Discovering that cherry wine not agree with you- On a successful save,you took the knowledge to heart and decided to play things lowkey. Earn 25xp. On a failed roll, you projectile vomited during a key moment in the ceremonial animal husbandry. You have gained a reputation as a lout and folks in Orm are now hesitant to involve you in holiday events. You are for the next year, you are -2 on rolls related to holiday table results.
2.	Bearing ritual offerings- You were chosen to carry the meat offering from a sacrifice to the grove in the tree copse west of the Monument of the Old Gods to be left for the Court of the Twilight Shores. On a successful save, earn 200xp. On a failed save, you drunkenly ate the offering to stave off your late night munchies. The elves of the Court of the Twilight Shores know you did it--granting you -2 to Reaction rolles with them for the next year but still gain 25xp for your trouble.
3.	Gambling!- You partook in some afterhours games of chance during the festivities earning 100xp. On a successful save, you won the following: (1) 10 x (d10)gp (2) three casks of cherry wine (3) a herd of (3d10) sheep/ostrich hybrids (4) the (d4) remaining months on a leatherworker’s exclusive contract (5) the papers to a basement printshop (taxes of d6X100gp due at end of year) (6) a plot of land out on the edge of Sourwood Marsh (taxes of your level x 100gp due at end of year). On a saved failed, you (1) lost all of your possessions going all in (2) lost all of your coinage in bets (3) got caught cheaping (though it could just be a drunken misunderstanding) and are facing a duel in 1d3 weeks unless you can think of a way out. (4)
4.	Performing ceremonial fertility rites- You were drawn into participating in a fertility rite. This led to a romantic tryst that lasted the length of the festival. On a successful save, your paramore left you with a lock of their hair as a token (grants a reroll on failed saving throw once). On a failed save, you drunkenly soured the relationship. Your lover now counts you as an enemy.
5.	Working the wine pouring- You ended up spending the festivities serving cherry wine to festival goers, Earn 100xp. On a successful save, you also made 1d6 x character level x 10gg in tips. On a failed save, you drank your earnings away.
6.	Learning to live In Zotul’s name- You became involved in a ceremony that ended up initiating you into a mystery cult of Zotul earning 100xp from the secret knowledge you received. You have been branded over your heart with his symbol. On a successful save, you remember which ruin in Orm-Of-Old that you can spend 1 downtime per month earning 100xp x character level partaking in Zotul’s secret rites. On a failed save, you blackout during the ritual and remember nothing of its rules, symbols, etc.
7.	Exclaiming “What luck!”- You were the recipient of the charred bones of a sacrificed male beast to end a fertility ritual from the Rani herself! On a successful save the insights gained in their augury grant a +5% xp bonus on your next adventure. On a failed save, you drunkenly spilt the bones before they could be read bringing bad fortune to you. You are -5% Xp for the next session.
8.	Having a plain old good time- You had a solid time. If you successfully save, earn 100xp. If you fail the save, earn 50xp.
9.	Being a contestant in wine drinking contest- You were the participant in a competition to see who could drink the most cherry wine. Earn 100xp per character level. On a successful save, you also won 25 x (d8)gp for a modest prize purse. On a failed save, you are still hung over the next session you play in. -2 to attack rolls and saves until you roll a natural 20.
10.	Winning a livestock drawing!- You won a livestock animal in a raffle. On a failed save, you drunkenly misplaced the creature. Roll a (d8) twice to discover what two parts the hybrid beast is: (1) emu (2) goat (3) cockerel (4) yak (5) monitor lizard (6) hog (7) llama (8) mule
11.	Performing in ritualistic theater- You were conscripted into a production of the Overlord’s Passion Play. Make a 3d6 Charisma check to see how well you did. On a successful check, gain 300xp. On a failed save vs death, the check is a 4d6 Charisma check.
12.	Gaining the blessing of Zotul- You found the Crown of the Overlord in your handpie. For the next year, you are the ceremonial Overlord for the next year and have to perform assorted duties over the next year. Each time you spend a downtime to meet these obligations, you gain 100xp per PC level. On a failed save vs death, you lose a tooth to biting down on the crown and start the next session down 1d3 HP (minimum of 1 HP).