Greengrass, Year of the Scarlet Witch

Cultural event

The party enjoys some downtime in Phandalin while making new friends during the annual spring festival.

Throughout all of Faerûn, the waning days of Tarsakh meant the same for almost all surface-dwellers: Greengrass! An annual festival to celebrate the arrival of Spring, life renewed, and hoped-for days of good fortune. Celebrated in one form or another depending on where one finds themselves this time of year, unlike the other festivals, Greengrass has a tendency to be more celebratory and hedonistic, while others such as Higharvestide or Midwinter tend to be more thankful, somber, or intimate.   But in the Year of the Scarlet Witch, the people of the reincarnated mining town of Phandalin are more than keen to celebrate Greengrass. The warming weather has brought with it a group of unlikely and seemingly mismatched individuals to their town that have created a stir. They have already caused a few changes that has fueled a rapid rise in their local celebrity status.   First, they basically cleaned-up the town, ousting a band of brigands that had taken up residence in the ruins of a local mansion, who were hassling and swindling coin from the local villagers and business owners. But shortly thereafter, they dispatched the bugbear "goblin-king" Grol from nearby Cragmaw Castle, and in the process rescued a dwarf named Gundren who himself was already well-known in Phandalin.   Now, it is indeed unusual for a group of villagers to have such high regard for a dwarf, especially one from out-of-town, but rumor has it that Gundren has recently found the lost Wave Echo Cave. A mine supposedly rich in mineral wealth and arcane power. By saving Gundren, the prosperity of the villagers are now all but assured. But of course, this fortune all depends on whether the legends of the mine are true, and whether it has any riches left to bestow. Though their reasons might otherwise be premature, Greengrass gave them a perfect opportunity to have a party, and the newcomers would be the perfect guests of honor!   So as Airick, Tahlthi, Wick, Forgrim, and Roric spent a few days in town recovering from their encounter with King Grol, the townsfolk cleared the green just west of the Shrine, setting up tables and banners in the days before-hand. Most of the group spent their time training and honing skills while Roric needed time for his arm to heal, which had been badly injured during their fight. But he kept himself busy getting the Sleeping Giant in order, a tavern they recently had acquired from the Redbrands, finding more than enough work for the barkeep, Grista, to keep her busy.   By the time the festival had begun, it's confines had spilled well outside the town green. Airick was performing song in their new tavern, prompting infatuated villagers to patronize one of their new 'saviors.' Ale was flowing to and fro in the streets, thanks to Linene Graywind, the owner of the trading coster, for setting up kegs of ale in front of her warehouse, offering steins of frothy refreshment all around! Even Sister Garaele had let her hair down for the celebration, quite literally, her blond locks flowing freely down to her waist, instead of bound above her shoulders in it's usually meticulous stylizing.   Travelers had extended their stay and news had spread in the local region, the town easily doubling its temporary population for the day of the festival. Stonehill was filled to capacity, and even the Sleeping Giant was turning down customers bartering for floor space. It was quite an affair.   Tahlthi found the increased activity disconcerting, and kept watch from afar, hidden among the treetops, as was her penchant. She kept her distance from the frivolities, mostly observing the antics of bawdy revelers and jubilant townsfolk. But a few individuals managed to catch her eye. Most of them seemed to pay a visit to the Miner's exchange, including a middle-aged male in red robes that imparted a sensation upon her which can best be described as 'the creeps.'   While the elf and the bard were busy tending to the group's tavern, Forgrim and Wick took a much more casual approach towards the festivities. The gregarious gnome was more than happy to meet some new folks, and regale them with tales of their recent encounters beneath Tresendar Manor, and Cragmaw Castle. Meanwhile, what dwarf could turn down the opportunity to enjoin in quaffing pints of free ale, especially when said dwarf was among the guests of honor. It also gave him ample opportunity to speak of Moradin, as many an ear was more than willing to listen to the dwarf's humble homages.   Throughout the afternoon and evening the pair spent time with many of the villagers, and even met a few new acquaintances. Daran had invited a female elf named Thiala, whom he introduced as his 'friend' of his that was visiting from Triboar. Wick and Forgrim found her very amicable, as she was fascinated with the unusually outgoing and social forest gnome. She also kept Forgrim's attention for quite a while, especially in his inebriated state, when he discovered that she was actually quite well-versed in the lore and teachings of Moradin, referring to him as the great Creator.   They also spent some time with Sildar and Harbin, who had now fallen back into good favor with the villagers after the Redbrands were driven out, and most felt he had been unfairly accused of association with the bandits. Sildar had also a new associate with him, a representative of the Lord's Alliance named Trevnar Spearwright, who had stopped in Phandalin én route to Waterdeep. He had recently seen Gundren just before leaving Neverwinter, and noted how excited the dwarf was about his discovery and brimming with pride in his rescuers. But he was anxious to find his brothers and was hoping to return to Phandalin before the end of Mirtul. Trevnar was elated to hear of the group's recent successes, and suggested there could be more work for them if they ever made it down the coast to Waterdeep.   Most of the group would not find sleep until the following dawn, though Roric was the first to retire for the evening. The Sleeping Giant actually turned a tidy profit that evening. Though it wouldn't be until morning before the group re-assembled, they all agreed, Phandalin was welcoming them with open arms.