The Resplendent Fête, the Procession of the Old Gods, and More News Around Orm

Following the Coronation of the Eventide Queen, the holiday season of the Resplendent Fête and the Procession of the Old Gods has come to Orm. You can find out about that along with otherworldly new residents, new stock at the ShopShop, and more in the latest news around Orm:

Those looking for timber and skilled carpenters and wood workers for construction projects struggle to find crews. The former Complex denizen called One-Arm claims his shop is paying triple the cost for lumber from a year ago as the Rani corner the market. This supports claims coming out of unnamed sources in 111th Company that the tax they collect at the Iron Gate is funding the construction of a new fleet for the Impossible Fortress.

The Phantamorian leader Zaxxon, Knight of the Ivory Gleam, (center) flanked by their squire Kalamoro (left) and one of their wastrel followers (right)

Among those hit by these construction woes is a group of otherworldly beings known as "Phantamorians" the Demon Slayers of the Drinking Crow brought back with them from their last expedition. Formerly the crew of a vessel that sailed something called the "Oneiric Sea", this group of Phantamorians have established themselves as a mercenary force in Orm They currently operate out of an inn established by Armeen of the Two Rivers until they can secure their own headquarters. According to members of the group spotted at the Drinking Crow or Riverwine, they are just biding their time until the arrival of the fabled "Black Pyramid". Until then, they are acting as a mercenary force in Orm. Why are they not ever at the Burning Witch? It is forbidden to them as their captain, Zaxxon of the Ivory Gleam, holds that establishment radiates evil.

The owner of Orm's loan bank, Yoseppi, is currently looking for a new night time security. His previous gurad, Grom, has been let go along with this pack of four dogs. Word is that Grom and his dogs were let go for falling asleep on the job. Those interested in the position should contact Yoseppi's nephew, Cheese.

Lastly, PakPak's ShopShop has been offering an updated inventory:

The Procession of the Old Gods

For those that made it back in time from the Coronation of the Eventide Queen, they return to Orm just in time for the season of the The Resplendent Fête and the Procession of the Old Gods. The Resplendent Fête is a last chance to enjoy the sensual pleasures of this world before an arduous month of spiritual and physical restrain. Why do the people of Orm subject themselves to such austerity as refraining from garishly colored clothes, alcohol, or joyous song? Well, they believe a month of meditation on the bleak realities of the world final age spares them the judgement of jealous forgotten deities who parade through all of Ur-Dan.

Participants in this year's festivities can spend 100gp x PC Level to earn the same in XP from participating in the festivities. They also make a 2d6 throw modified by their Wisdom bonus to saves versus magic. The results are as follows:

Festival Season Throw Result
6 or >	Ire of the Old Gods
7-9	Uneventful Participation
10+	Favor of Orm

 

Ire of the Old Gods
Roll d8	Result
1.	The Old Gods Know Your Name- Your name was spoken from the mouth of one of the Dead Gods. That they know your name has filled you with a supernatural dread causing a -2 penalty to all attack and save rolls. This lasts until rolling a critical success brings you some hope in this dying world.
2.	Brazen Disregard- You publicly refrained from partaking in the dry month between the Resplendent Fête  and the Procession of the Old Gods drawing the gods’ ire. When an Old God grabbed you to march along them in their Procession, you fell. You were trampled and start your next session -1HD of hit points (minimum of 1).
3.	Gazed Upon That Which Mortals Should Not Look- The otherworldly visages of the members of the Procession haunt you still. Your mind finds it hard to focus. At the start of the next 1d4 sessions you participate in, roll to find out which random piece of equipment you forgot to pack.
4.	Sacrilegious Vandalism- You vandalized the Monument of the Old Gods during the Resplendent Fête and everyone in Orm knows. The rolls for your next 1d4 downtimes in Orm are at a -1 modifier due to Ormians’ fear of ill fortune due to association with you.
5.	Jailed- You missed the Procession because you have been jailed since the  Resplendent Fête. You don’t remember the events that put you there. You must settle 1d4x25gp in fines that you may or not legitimately owe before you can regain your freedom.
6.	Accidental Taboo Breaker- You absentmindedly violated one of the prescriptions leading up to the Procession of the Gods. Maybe you whistled a bright tune without thinking or unintentionally grabbed a brightly colored garment and wore it. While the Old Gods did not force you to march for your transgression, they did demand all the coin you had on you as tribute.
7.	Marked- After the Resplendent Fête, you regularly broke the seasonal prescriptions in private but the Dead Gods still knew. One of them, whom you did not see, grabbed you by the nape of your neck and forced you to march alongside them in the Procession. You march out of Orm with the parade and wake up a week later in the ruins of Orm-of-Old bearing a strange mark on your body. You may not take an action in the post-Procession downtime segment.
8.	Drunkenly Black Out- During the Resplendent Fête, you blacked out. When you awoke, you had lost everything on you except your festival costume and 1d4 random pieces of your inventory (including non-stowed treasure). The time you spent since leaving as a pauper or ascetic earns you an additional 100xp.

The Favor of Orm
Roll d8	Result
1.	Lucky Soul- Everyone knows you did not abstain from a forbidden behavior leading up the Procession yet the Old Gods ignored you. You obviously have the favor of some great power. The next time you should “die”due to taking damage, you are instead knocked unconscious until you earn back hit points.
2.	Dark Portent- During the Procession of the Old Gods, you gazed into the eyes of one of the marching terrible powers. You gained insight into a future event. Roll a d20. You may swap out any one d20 roll made in your presence with this result instead.
3.	Intervention- The crowd mistakenly tried to push out someone to join the Procession. You intervened and saved the innocent soul from the stigma. Gain a relationship tracker with the grateful NPC set at Rank 2: Acquaintance per the Cultivate Relationship downtime rules.
4.	Party Pals- You reveled during the Resplendent Fête in the company of an NPC you have an open Relationship Clock. You gain a free Cultivate Relationship roll to advance the relationship. If you have no preexisting open Clocks, roll to establish a new one.
5.	Pure Misery- You found the month between the Resplendent Fête and the Procession of the Old Gods a terrible purgatory yet you did not break. Instead, you discovered new things about yourself and earn an additional 100xp.
6.	The Old Gods...Approve?- In spite of strong temptation, you held fast to the season’s spirit of abstinence from experiences that lighten the soul. During the Procession, you felt the gaze of the Old Gods upon you and it was almost as if they approved. Gain a d4 that you make to add to one throw you make.
7.	Who are You Again?- You woke up form the final night of the Resplendent Fête with a strange elfin being serving you tea and calling you “boss”. The upside, you have a fae retainer until the next Resplendent Fête. The downside, until then, you are subject to the elfin laws of the Twilight Court.
8.	I Agreed to What?!?- During the Resplendent Fête, in an altered state you agreed to donate 1d4x100gp towards this year’s Procession of the Old Gods. Your generosity earned you the good will with the people of Orm. Gain a +1 bonus to Cultivate Relationship or Build an Institution rolls for downtimes made in Orm until the next solstice.