The Festival of Flowers, The Illustrious Company Has Intelligence to Sell, and More in the New Around Orm

After almost two weeks of unseasonably hot and dry weather, a day of heavy rain swept through Orm. It may have broken the heat but Ormens are not so sure it will bring a break in the rise of petty crime around the city-state. Here is what else is happening around Orm as the Festival of Flowers arrives:

Dreams and visions of a black pyramid have intensified among Orm's spiritually tuned in and/or chemically dropped out. The Phantamorian Captain, Zaxxon, has offered to aid those lost in the deep existential dread that can accompany such interactions with the mysterious structure. While Zaxxon claims to be sharing relief through the esoteric practices of the Ivory Gleam, the opinion among Orm's more conservative set is that the strange being is leading nothing more than drug-laced orgies inside the ramshackle inn the Phantomorians are currently lodging in.

The esoteric of the Ivory Gleam aren't the only spiritual matters creating buzz in the Alley of the Gods. The Magi Naztab has visited the Shrine of Danu the sits along the Alley. On their way to the Principality of Kouz to celebrate the Festival of Flowers, the holy woman of Danu stopped in Orm to inspect the fledgling shrine. Onlookers report that she was not too keen on how the pair of sphinxes that occupy the shrine are overshadowing the Mother of the Primordial Waters in her own holy site.

Cleric Esfir

Absent for the Magi's visit was the cleric of Danu, Esfir. She was with her adventuring party, the Illustrious Company of Khourau, as they delving into the Complex. Returning from 'The Complex', the Illutrious Company were seen paying a tax of 137gp and 5sp to Sunya Strong at the Iron Gate of the Rani. The Kouzi party had three pieces of information spread among the adventuring community in Orm. First, the let it be known that a trio of wayward vat spawn of Valtropis hide out in a room just north of the Cube art installation on Level 3. Secondly, they have intelligence on what happened to Peaches and Ferris that they are willing to sell for 100gp. Lastly, they know how to summon an elemental on Level 3 and have an item to control it. They are willing to sell that information and the item for 1000gp.

An incomplete sketch of the other members of the Illustrious Company of Khourau (l-t-r): Lyth the Magician, Exile XII, ZaWoosh, and "Catmouth" Kurdy

Those missing dungeon delvers is still a hot issue among Orm's adventuring community. While Fancy Jean-Yves Beauvollier, GaWoosh, Journeyman Crannoc, and Wolfgang have returned to the surface; their retainers and dogs have not. The only remaining active Midnight Marauder (and dog lover) Souz'wan has been been leading the effort to drum up concern mainly out of concern for the Living Harness named Ferris.

The Festival of Flowers

Hate Pit drawn by their player Marie during the vat spawn's first Festival of Flowers

The Festival of Flowers initiates the summer season in Ur-Dan. The festivities begin with live stock being blessed with fire before being released into the streets of Orm. Bystanders are pelted with legumes and flowers as the holy songs of the Brothers of the Fields echo through Orm. Their secret cthonic rituals are the heart of the festival but Ormens hearts lie with the season's performances. Naked prostitutes dance in the streets and perform mock combats. At night, lights guide festival goers to theatrical productions that are considered the hallmark of the festivities.

 Those looking to partake in the Festival of Flowers must spend use one downtime segment and at least 50gp on a brightly colored outfit and theater tickets. For each 100gp (up to 500gp) spent on the Festivial downtime grants a +1 to a roll on the following table:

Festival of Flowers Table
Roll 1d6+gp spent mod.	Result
1.	You helped shepherd blessed livestock through Orm. One of them followed you home. You now own a goat.
2.	You found the chorus of the Brothers of the Fields incredibly moving. Gain 50xp.
3.	You sat next to the same person at several performances. Open a clock with one random NPC as if you had done the downtime action, “Cultivate a Relationship”.
4.	You saw some good theater. Gain 50xp and a +1 to your next non-magical research roll due to unexpected insight the play offered.
5.	You were hit by a thrown flower in the ceremonial pelting granting you good luck. Reroll your next critical failure on an attack roll or saving throw.
6.	You didn’t miss a single play. Gain 100xp.
7.	You partook in the traditional betting over the mock combats that happen in the streets of Orm during the Festival. Earn the gp spend for the festival x 1d4gp in winnings.
8.	You participated in a ceremonial role in the Festival. Gain 150xp
9.	You were anointed with the ashes of the sacred fires. During your next session, you may find secret doors as if you were an elf (2-in-6 chance). If you are an elf, your ability for the next session is elevated to a 3-in-6 chance.
10.	You gained the blessing of this year’s Lady of Flower’s herself. Gain 200xp and you may reroll your next failed saving throw.