Arion checked luck at difficulty 7, rolling 18 higher.

Arion checked luck at difficulty 7, rolling 2 lower.

Arion checked luck at difficulty 7, rolling 2 lower.

Arion checked luck at difficulty 7, rolling 2 higher.

Arion checked luck at difficulty 7, rolling 3 higher.

Arion checked luck at difficulty 7, rolling 3 lower.

Anisha drops The People's Tournament - Fishing Derby 1014.

There's a right hustle and bustle at the beaches today, with several small shacks set up to weigh and measure the fish caught, carts that will bring it to the lowers - and some bonfires already going where those impatient are enjoying the catches. A stage stands center as Anisha paces, wearing her customary coat over her aeterna, as she watches the ways of the Commoners. Equipment stalls hand out poles and nets, and people are spreading out as best they can, readying up.

"Alright," Anisha calls out, hands brought up to her mouth, the flags of the sponsoring Houses and organizations flapping in the wind behind her. "You will have one hour, from I turn that glass, to choose your technique of choice, and bring as many fish, as big fish, as possible!" She declares brightly. "Enjoy, play sportsmanslike, and take part in Mangata's Bounty today, as we celebrate the livelihood of commoners of the Seas!"

Merek walks along in the beaches while he takes the time to adjust the potion belt he wears along the beltcape, the hood up while he finds a fishing pole within his pack, taking his time to settle in and begins to wait for things.

Dergus, an intimidating bodyguard arrives, following Zyxthylum.

Cerelia looks around with curiosity. She looks toward the sea and then to see who is here while she walks closer to see the event.

Savio is, technically, a commoner of the sea. However, has he ever done anything useful in his life, ever? Does he catch his own fish? Make his own clothing? NO. No, he does not. So the fishing pole he's got seems more like a recreational accoutrement than a life skill, and he has been feeding little bits of bait to a black crow perched on his shoulder. It's a fairly large crow, and occasionally buffets him with its wings to stay balanced, which causes generalized havoc and chaos for the vicinity that is Savio's person. "Do you imagine it's unsportsmanlike to sing vaguely insulting songs about Giorgio?" He's addressing this to the bird, maybe. "It might distract him!"

Zyxthylum is not a fisherman, not at least a tradition kind. His normal prey now hang from his hands, the black segmented bodies nursing his blood away as he approaches the water. This seems like a good plan to him, bare hands with leeches attached to you as bait? He might not understand the difference between bog water and salt water. Still, he wears a confident expression and a grin so wide it should split him in two. Once his is about waist deep he freezes and looks up for cues they can begin, lanky arms held parallel to the waves.

Zyxthylum gets a dark ampule of hungry leeches from A water-proofed medical pouch.

Carolina, an orphan from Bravura arrives, following Lore.

Who can really be sure what has brought Giorgio out this evening to a fishing tournament. Perhaps it was the prospect of winning a crown, or maybe Savio has sold him that it would be something completely separate. But once he arrives, Giorgio has taken to it with perhaps a surprising bit of ease. Rolling his sleeves and pants legs up, Giorgio simply walks out into the sea and bends over as if watching for the fish. "Want to bet that I outfish you, Savio?" he calls out to his brother.

Savio's bird spots these LEECHES and is entranced, a hungry, greedy look in its beady little eyes. It hops to the opposite shoulder and starts to hop even closer still toward Zyx, almost launching forth before Savio gasps, "Cawio, NO," and snags at the last moment. There's tremendous cawing and flapping and hurt feelings. Savio raises his brows at his brother and unwisely wagers over the sound of the commotion, "I'll bet anything you want!"

Cerelia finds a place to sit on the beach. She looks toward Savio with a grin and a shake of her head as she waits for the event to begin.

Savio squashes the crow under one arm, pinned, and scolds it, "That man has a plan, you awful thing. Stoppit."

Orland has joined the Wooden Picnic Table.

Zakhar picks up a pole of his own, showing off his kittens and then promptly struggling to keep them from going after some of the pre-prepared fish. Meanwhile, people find their positions, and - well, Anisha readies the turn of the hourglass. "Remember, one hour, as many fish as possible. Your score is the weight of the fish combined, so go for the bigger fish, mm?" She suggests, with a bright smile and a clap of her hands. Turning the glass with a steady hand. "Mangata's favour be with you!"

Cerelia has joined the Wooden Picnic Table.

Lore is here for the fishing!! She wanders in, wearing her crown from the Wagon Delivery Run and grinning broadly. "Hello!! I'm super excited for this one, I haven't been fishing in AGES." She starts shrugging out of her jacket and hopping about to remove one shoe then the other. Rolling up pant legs and shirtsleeves. And all with that crown still on her head. It HAS to be pinned into place to not have fallen off. Heading towards the water without pole or net, apparently someone expects to fish by hand!

Zyxthylum checked perception at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

When the leeches hit the salt water they FREAK OUT. Suddenly there is an inky mass squirming frantically away from the emaciated man, they don't stay on him but they also provide a bunch of distractions and possible opportunities. His hooked fingers slide through the water and he make a lot of splashing. He cackles like a madman, even though his good eye is mostly closed. As he limps out of the water and onto the beach it looks like he even manage to snag one in his toes. The human chum bucket, who knew?

Orland manages to make it down before the event starts. He's here for morale support, really. To find a seat to watch from, he pops up on one of the wooden picnic tables. Cupping his hands around his mouth he hollars out, "Let's go SAVIO! Fish 'em LORE! Gio, Gio, GIO!" He's apparently cheering for a few people, but at least he's a bit more social today, waving his hand in the air.

Zyxthylum checked luck at difficulty 7, rolling 8 higher.

Zyxthylum checked luck at difficulty 7, rolling 1 higher.

Zyxthylum checked luck at difficulty 7, rolling 1 higher.

Zyxthylum checked luck at difficulty 7, rolling 17 higher.

Zyxthylum checked luck at difficulty 7, rolling 15 higher.

Zyxthylum checked luck at difficulty 7, rolling 7 higher.

1 Culler Boatswain, 2 Culler Midshipman arrive, following Samira.

Cerelia is here watching the event. She seems especially interested in Savio and Giorgio. She notices Orland and goes to sit by him. "I wonder who will do the best."

Anisha wanders off the stage, moving towards the picnic table where Orland and Cerelia have seated themselves, sketching a curtsey. "Lord Orland, welcome and well met. Congratulations on your recent appointment to Voice of House Amadeo," She offers. Looking to Cerelia. "And well met to you, as well, messere. I am the Softest Whisper Anisha, a pleasure. Hostess of this here event," She gestures around her. "As it's been my privilege to be handed the responisiblity for the People's Tournament."

Savio grins at Orland and waves the fishing pole back at him like a flag! Full of happiness to be near the beach, and also, misplaced confidence. He finally lets the crow go again when Zyx's leeches hit the water, satisfied that his pet won't be ruining someone else's unique and notable and admittedly slightly gross way to catch fish, and the bird puffs up on his shoulder with feathery disdain. Perching up on a rock, Savio settles in, casts, and raises his brows at his brother. "Still waiting on that wager, Gio. You just let me know." This will end badly.

Samira checked stamina at difficulty 15, rolling 10 higher.

Samira checked luck at difficulty 7, rolling 4 higher.

Samira checked luck at difficulty 7, rolling 8 higher.

Samira checked luck at difficulty 7, rolling 0 higher.

Orland clenches his teeth at Anisha's congratulations, noting with an impassive matter of fact tone, "The Count went senile and forgot I've been in the position for years, but I do thank you for the congratulations, Softest Whisper..." He looks to Cerelia and shrugs his shoulders, "I'm not sure how they're determining who wins. Largest heaviest fish? Probably a matter of luck and what bait and what spot you pick to fish in." He spots Savio's waving flag like pole, spotting Zakhar in there too, "You got this White Beard!" He settles back down onto the bench, "I think Zak might stand a chance. Hard to say though."

Samira checked luck at difficulty 7, rolling 2 higher.

Samira checked luck at difficulty 7, rolling 2 higher.

Samira checked luck at difficulty 7, rolling 6 higher.

Samira checked luck at difficulty 7, rolling 2 higher.

Lore keeps a large wicker backet slung sidelong across her body, carries low so the basket stays in the water. Wading right out into the ocean, the woman holds almost preternaturally still, putting on the metaphorical blinders as she focuses on the water. Waiting, patiently, watching for that perfect moment... there! Her hand flashes into the water and comes up with a wriggling, squirming fish! She grins, tucking it into the basket and going back to staring. Hearing her name called out, she lifts a hand in a wave towards the beach, but doesn't take her eyes from the water.

As the glass is turned, Zakhar, Svana, Sydney and Samira all make their way to the waters, armed with nets and poles and nothing at all. The race is on, though Sydney seems more concerned with showboating for the crowd. At least she's sticking to the nautical theme.

Cerelia looks to Orland. "I'm not sure how good either of my cousins are at fishing." She nods as she looks to Anisha. "It is a pleasure to meet you also. I am Cerelia Pontelaeus. I am new to the city, and I thought this would be amusing to watch."

Now that he is covered in salt water, the new leeches just fall off him to squirm in the sand. Either waiting to bake to death or be feasted on by Savio's bird. None the less he goes back in, a small bucket holding most of the minnows that were hurt or too slow to get away from him. He begins to get more and more agitated at Zakhar's success, slapping the water several times and speaking directly to the fish in frustration. If this were only about who could catch more rats..

"...That's unfortunate. Perhaps a prank?" She speculates. Furrowing her brow. "Consider my congratulations a... Delayed one then, by several years." She notes, with a gentle incline of her head. Looking over at where Orland peeks. "...The old sailor is doing better than Savio, certainly. Maybe he should sing to the fish," She muses. Cheering on a few other contestants, giving Lore an encouraging smile, before she turns back to Cerelia. "Ah! Of couse. Well met. And I hope it's amusing - Giorgio's tactic is bold, but he seems to be doing decently so far." She concludes - glancing up at the hourglass. "...Still, plenty of time left, no?"

"I'm sure they're decent at it," he notes, "Since they're from the Saffron. I've seen the beaches myself and can only imagine how many fish are teeming there." Orland looks aside to Cerelia, "Though I do think Zakhar has a lot more experience than anyone else." He props his one foot up on the bench of the table, since he's sitting on top of it, so he can get a good view, nodding to Anisha, "Savio!! SING TO THE FISH!" he grins, with a bark of a laugh, encouragement for his partner.

Savio was all about fishing on the shore in December until he figured out it.... is COLD. It's not that cold. But if you're a delicate orchid from the Saffron Chain, it's cold, and he should have picked a more active fishing style, like a net! But he did not. Pole. Savio is suffering, guys. And not catching a lot of fish. As time goes on, however, he does entertain himself with a song.

"Out at shore and slightly freezing
The crown's our only wish
I can see clouds when I'm breathing
But I've got to catch these fish!

Little fish big fish, medium sized
Flat ones, long ones, fish with funny eyes!
Dark fish light fish, fish with spines!
And lots of jerk fish not biting this line....

I'm going to be a block of ice
If these fish won't hurry up!
Can't feel my toes and it's not so nice
There hasn't been much luck!

Little fish big fish, every look
None of 'em want what's on this hook
Ugly fish, tasty fish, great to fry
Oh my gods, I'm gonna die."

Brrrr. But there's a fish on the line! Hooray! He's got like, one fish you guys.

Another grab into the water and Lore comes up with another fish! "Ha! Haven't lost the touch!" She turns her head to flash a grin towards the beach, holding it up before tucking the fish into the basket with the first. She glances around, spotting Zakhar and grinning, "Hey Zak! This is fun, right!"

Merek keeps fishing along while he takes the time to place each fish into a pack bucket, while looking to folk, nodding.

Arion is not doing particularly well, protecting his hair and dress and staying at the edges of the beach - but he is managing to catch some fish, and shares a few waves and smiles and encouraging cries to the other people.

Zakhar gives Lore an upnod, and holds up a kitten, using it as an extension of his hand to grab the fish off the pole. No disqualifications for kitten marks, surely.

Sydney, too, is... Well, punching the fish. When she hits. She's getting a couple big ones to start, but now she's finding smaller ones instead. Svana and Samira are deeply focused, and Samira in particular seems to be having some trouble.

"...of course he sings to the fish," Anisha muses, chuckling as she glances over at Savio. Then giving a low whistle. "...Zakhar is getting some sizeable ones, as is Sir Merek. Lore seems to be a natural," She muses.

Now out of luck and leeches, Zyxthylum limps to the shore with steam rising from his hunched back. If he feels the cold he makes no fuss over it besides the full body shivers and beet red skin turning purple. He has towels and dry silks however and so he moves to see to getting dressed. Over the other heads he sees Orland. "Lord Master Orland!" He calls loudly in greeting.

Savio watches Zyx depart the water and seems to have nothin but respect for the unorthodox methods that were in play. "HEY, I LIKE YOUR STYLE," he yells after him, before reeling in again and -- oh, no, it's not a fish. Just a clump of seaweed. Sigh. "Lore! Zakhar! Tell me your secrets!" That's cheating, Savio, you absolute wagonwreck of a person.

Orland laughs as he hears some of the song, bits and pieces floating back to them. His head even bobs a little side to side as he flicks a finger back and forth to the tune the song seems to carry. He asks to Cerelia, "Why aren't you out fishing?" A question to her, his own reason was evident, he no longer was a commoner. His hands clap into applause for Savio. While he does, Zyxthylum greets him, "Hello again Zyxthylum! You know, I may just start calling you Zy! Can I?" He grins, noting, "How'd you do out there? You look cold. Do you need a coat?" As if willing to shed his own.

"Messere," Anisha offers by way of greeting to Zy - casting a glance up towards the stage where the hour glass is slowly running out. "YOU HAVE FIFTEEN MORE MINUTES! THEN YOU CAN ALL ENJOY SOME OF THE FEAST WHILE THE WEIGHING IS FINISHED!" She declares, bringing her hands to bear to make her voice carry further. "Please, do huddle up by the fire and get some food and hot cider in you, Messere... Zyxthylum, was it?" She enunciates his name carefully. "You have a great spirit, and I'm pleased to see you in the games."

She assures, with a little smile. Giving a small curtsey to Orland and Cerelia. "I admit I am also curious, Messere Cerelia. But I imagine we'll have plenty of time to talk later - if you'll excuse me..." She withdraws, just so. Stepping aside, back to the stage, so she can oversee, if from a distance, the last catches coming in to be weighed.

Cerelia looks to Orland. "I'm happier watching. I'm sure I could do better than my cousins or at least Savio. One day whem I'm more settled in I'll compete in something." She nods to Anisha. "Later.

Lore is doing VERY well with her fishing. She doesn't have a huge number of fish in her basket, but those she has are pretty sizaeable. She's patient, waiting for the bigger fish to come close so she can grab them up. There's a few smaller ones, of course, you take what you can get, but overall they seem like pretty large fish. Laughing towards Savio, she calls out, "Its just my natural charm and attraction that draws them in to me, Savio!" Riiiiiiiiiiiiight. Her hands flash out again, grabbing hold of another fish and hoisting it quickly from the water to shove into the basket, "Ooooo, a wriggler!"

Savio had no luck singing about the fish. But what if he sings TO the fish? A SIGH as another small fish follows a spell of no luck at all, and now he's addressing them directly.

"What else you have to do out there
Besides swim here near me?
Your schedule simply can't be cleared
For bait time, you're not free?

Come on you fish, time's running out!
I don't care what you are!
Minnows, sharks, sea bass, trout!
You surely can't be far!

It's not gone well, I am aware
It's fair to say I've more to master
But really this is a sad affair --
Get on this hook, you salty bastards."

Lore says charm's the trick and he SIGHS. "I knew I should have been a less awful person at some point."

Zyxthylum gives Savio a knobby thumb jutting towards the sky in thanks. Pulling his own silks over his head he refuses the offer, "No no, I'm fine Lord Master. And you can call me whatever you like!" He sets a strangely dressed doll up next to the sand, "Watch the fish, will you Mortyx?" His smiles at his joke and glances around for a reaction.

Zyxthylum drops Mortyx, the well dressed rat.

Merek keeps on fishing while he begins to place each one into the proper bucket, taking his time to check them. The man seems to content in fishing, his favorite thing to do to relax besides gardening, while he smiles.

Leaving his little stuffed friend to continue fishing, Zyxthylum hears the words 'mead' and 'fire' and all but runs towards Anisha. "My Lady Mistress! So good to see you!" He bows so low his hair brings sand back up with it. Unpreturbed, the emaciated creature wriggles his fingers at the mead and seafood. "You are.. so generous.." Saliva gleams at the corner of his mouth.

Orland quirks his head a little as he watches Zyxthylum, "Okay, only if you don't mind it." Also the refusal has him nod, respectfully, as his gaze turns to Cerelia, "Jump in with two feet I say." He cheers on Lore, "C'mon MOM! We need dinner at the house tonight!" He stops his cheers just in time to catch snippets of the next song, taking out his notebook and his graphite stick, trying to write down the song because it's hilarious and needs to be kept immortalized.

It's a good thing time is almost up because Savio has lost his bait tin to Cawio tipping it over and flapping off with little sardine-like fish, resplendent in corvid victory. "Oh, no!" Savio himself exclaims, trying to scoop up what's left, and juggle the fishing pole, and... no, no. This is a lost cause. "Orland! Cer! I've done terribly!" he yells toward loved ones on the shore, and then gives up, picking up his meager catch to scamper from rock to rock back to the sand. Head held high though.

Last minute, down to the wire, Lore makes a last, desperate lunge to grab for a truly large specimen and.... it works! She hoists the big fish aloft and starts to stagger back to shore with her catch!

"CONTESTANTS! STOP YOUR FISHING!" Anisha declares loudly; and the baskets for fish are ferried up to be weighed, with some discussions back and forth. Anisha being given little notes with scribbled results, laughing, delighted. "My friends, you have literally caught thousands of pounds of fish today, which will be given away and cooked for the people of the Lowers. Win or lose today, you can go home pleased with your good deed," She declares - and grins over at Zyxthylum, who has indeed gotten hot drink and presumably some of the fried fish and shellfish.

"We had many fine showings today," She declares. "And it was very close between Mistress Lore and Messere Zakhar - but in the end, you can't beat someone who's been in the salt for a lifetime! Congratulations, Zakhar!" She declares brightly, and holds up the crown for the old sailor - who is collecting kittens and telling stories. There are cheers, and he is all but lifted up on by the crowd to receive his prize.

Anisha is overheard praising Faith of the pantheon.

Anisha is overheard praising Bard's college.

Anisha is overheard praising Crafters guild.

Anisha is overheard praising Whisper.

Anisha is overheard praising Grayson.

Anisha is overheard praising Redrain.

Anisha is overheard praising Thrax.

Anisha is overheard praising Amadeo.

Anisha is overheard praising Zakhar: Worth his weight in fish!

Anisha is overheard praising Lore: Very close, very close indeed!

Anisha is overheard praising Giorgio: A strong showing from a late entrant!

Anisha is overheard praising Merek: Handy with a pole!

Anisha is overheard praising Svana: Retaining the honour of the Grayhopes!

Anisha is overheard praising Savio: A worthy pile of fish!

Anisha is overheard praising Zyxthylum: Innovative tactics!

Anisha is overheard praising Sydney: She made it a show!

Anisha is overheard praising Arion: Best not to hurt that hair!

Anisha is overheard praising Samira: A worthy effort!

Anisha takes The People's Tournament - Fishing Derby 1014.

Zyxthylum gets Mortyx, the well dressed rat.

Orland slips off the picnic table and meanders over toward Savio, waiting until his basket has been weighed before he folds in and gives the other man a loving embrace. "It's a competition, not everyone can haul fish out of the sea like Zak and Lore!" He starts to pinpoint Savio toward the fire, "You're probably freezing." He nods to Cerelia to join them around the fire, "Congratulations Zak! Always bet on the old timers when it comes to fishin." He waves to the man, then looks over toward Lore, "You were so close Lore!"

Savio is happy to gather up Orland in a hug! "Tell me you weren't writing down those awful songs! ...But if you do, change the last line of the second song to 'get hooked,' that would have been so much better. Please also know that I almost died of cold. I am very brave." No complaints about being steered towards the fire, to which he will stick close as he can without getting set ON fire. Like Orland, he beckons Cerelia to come too. "Oh Lore, so close! But now my friends are sweeping the crowns, and I have to say I love that." He beams. "Are we drinking? We're drinking, yeah?"

Zyxthylum is cooking himself back to life near the flames. Purple flesh is turning a nice healthy shade of red now. The mead is a welcomed aid although any mood altering substance can be rolling the dice with this fella. Now that the fishing is done he retrieves his friend to sit on his leg while he grooms it with a tiny comb, humming a tuneless melody as he works out a little tangle.

Cerelia approaches the fire and looks to Savio. "You did better than I was expecting." She grins. "I also enjoyed your songs."

Laughing, Lore is quick to grin towards Orland and Savio, wandering over to give each one a kiss to the cheek, "It was fun! And I did, I almost had him! But he got me on a couple.. real whoppers, he had!" She lifts a shrug and starts to towel off her arms and legs, rolling her pants and sleeves back down, getting back into shoes and coat. She plucks up her Wagon Run crown and sets it back onto her head with a grin, "And I still have this."

Cerelia surprises a laugh out of Savio. "Oh, Cer, how terrible were you expecting?! Nooo no don't answer that. And thank you all the same, I'll take it." He grins, while slowly turning around to make sure all of him is warmed by the fire. "This has been lovely. We eat, we drink, we make new friends..." thoughtful glance to Zyxthylum and the Mortyx-grooming there, which just gets a nod like yes, of course he is doing that, makes sense. "We praise Lore's and Zakhar's crown while being secretly or not so secretly jealous of it... what are we waiting for?" Lore is cheek-smooched back, then Savio makes an attempt to steal Orland and go find some booze!

Shanties and bawdy folk songs rise from around the crackling of bonfires, where fish and shellfish and the occasional vegetable is enjoyed, at length, along with hefty amounts of alcoholic drink - Mangata being a goddess of both the sea and libation. As the sun sets, the chill in the air is dispelled by community, rows of carts setting off to feed the lowers as embers spark into the air, and people party long into the night.