[Silverwood Manor, Courtyard]

First Silverleaf Gourmet Cooking Contest!

Special Thanks to Varisad for his help with creating this log.

Painted a pristine shade of white, a short stone wall lines the entire expanse of the courtyard. Leading towards the entry of the manor, short boxwood hedges line the multicolored stone path. Verdant grass provides a suitable place to sit and listen to a lesson, and a small tree to the back of the courtyard lends shade if needed. Azalea bushes with resplendent pink blossoms edge the wall, adding a touch of color to the area. You also see a sign you really should READ, a festival sign, a donation bin, a silver bell with a long silken rope, a carved haonwood door and a delicate rose bush.

Palooka says, "I've worked hard to procure the finest ingredients for this contest"

Xeldria says, "Bard ala mode."

Xeldria nods.

Palooka smiles at Katarinna.

Katarinna nods to Palooka.

Palooka asks, "commin for my cookin contest are ya?"

Palooka smiles at Katarinna.

Katarinna says, "I was not aware there was a cooking class."

Yaps just arrived.

Yaps exclaims, "I am here to cook!"

Palooka exclaims, "not a class! a contest for aspiring gourmets... with fabulous prizes!"

Katarinna frowns.

Palooka says, "I shall be selecting 6 contestants by mine own sinister methods."

Palooka says, "or as many as I can get...."

Palooka chuckles.

Palooka asks, "has everyone had a chance to read the rules?"

Yaps nods.

Palooka says, "is quite ok... take yer time"

Palooka asks, "Varisad, can you show us the prizes?"

Aemergin rubs his chin thoughtfully.

You say, "For third place"

Taylir gives Nitefallz a lingering kiss.

You remove a tall white linen hat from in your dark viperskin cloak.

Palooka says, "You can use any ingredients that you can think of... the Manor is well stocked"

You raise your white linen hat skyward!

Yaps nods.

You put a tall white linen hat in your dark viperskin cloak.

You say, "Second"

Taylir whispers to the group, "Wohoo.. I get to be the dumb one, I can cook anything... just not good with the jargon"

You remove a golden tasting spoon from in your dark viperskin cloak.

Yaps begins to giggle, then bursts out in a silly laugh.

You wave your tasting spoon around.

Palooka says, "but you must use the theme ingredients in all your dishes"

You put a golden tasting spoon in your dark viperskin cloak.

You say, "And first"

Xeldria says, "Nice spoon."

You remove a stained leather tome from in your dark viperskin cloak.

Covered with a variety of meat, vegetable and tart filling splotches, this book appears to have been well used in the kitchen. A large scorch mark on the back cover seems to suggest it was even used once in place of a trivet. The spine simply reads, "Prize winning Recipes" and a gilt-edged blue ribbon has been stuck inside as a book mark.

You say, "A special tome, filled with the best recipes"

Palooka says, "all the items denote your rank as master chefs of Elanthia"

Xeldria lets out a cheer!

Yaps starts chortling.

You put a stained leather tome in your dark viperskin cloak.

Xeldria whispers to the group, "I want to be Iron Chef Elanthia."

Xeldria snickers.

[Silverwood Manor, Courtyard]

Also here: Lord Dicendarq, Lord Nitefallz, Yaps, Katarinna, Lady Xeldria, Palooka, Spaewife, Lady Taylir, Aemergin

Palooka begins chuckling at Xeldria.

Palooka asks, "ok then... questions before we begin?"

Aemergin says, "Yes, question."

Truls just went east.

Palooka nods to Aemergin.

Aemergin asks, "You will present the main ingredients to us, but do we have the freedom to utilize other ingredients?"

Palooka says, "any other ingredient you so desire"

Palooka winks..

Palooka recites:

"For contestants I see... Yaps, Xeldria, and Aemergin.... good odds for coming away with a prize!"

Palooka recites:

"Xeldria, are ya ready?"

Xeldria ponders.

Aemergin sings:

"I'm ready .. for love."

Palooka recites:

"The first phase of the three phase contest is Preparing to cook... give us an idea what ya gonna do."

Palooka recites:

"Second phase is in full cooking mode.... ACTing what you're cooking"

Palooka recites:

"Third is final presentation of your dishes... as many as ya wish"

Aemergin says, "Yeah yeah"

Palooka recites:

"Aemergin are ya ready?"

Palooka recites:

"Then I shall give the introduction. Pay close attention,, as time starts when I say START COOKING!"

Palooka recites:

"Ready?"

Aemergin nods.

Palooka recites:

"Welcome One and All!

Here this afternoonish time, we shall be holding the first annual

Silverleaf Festival Gourmet Cooking Contest.

Hosted by yers Truly,, well, perhaps not Truly, but Most Honestly

Palooka Thumbles, Mage and Lorekeeper of Great Culinary Secrets!"

Yaps nods.

Aemergin wrings his hands.

Palooka bows.

Palooka recites:

"Here and now, Harken to the sounds of Bubbling Pots and Simmering Sauces

Be mindfully open to experience the aromas, textures

And sights of the bountiful fall harvest gifted to us by the gods!"

Palooka nods to Yaps.

Palooka smiles at Xeldria.

Palooka recites:

"All Please be the mostly of quiet during the event

as it takes much concentration to create great food in very little time."

Palooka recites:

"These great Chefs have already been briefed as to the rules of the game, and now await only the unveiling of the Secret Ingredient with which they will work their Culinary Magic!

I've taken much time to chose an ingredient that would work well with the fall vegetables and herbs celebrated during the harvest......."

Palooka recites:

"Contestants get ready, as yer time begins when I unveil the Theme of our Contest!"

Palooka gestures and utters a phrase of magic.... Suddenly a Bolt of Green lightning streaks down from the sky and when your eyes adjust from the glare you see...

Palooka standing before a grand altar upon which is stacked piles of the most tender cuts of Fall slaughtered Gak and Rolton you've ever seen. Obviously freshly obtained from the Kobold Shepherds in the Grand Pasture south of Wehnimer's Landing. There are fine looking Rolton Chops, and a couple Full legs of Rolton. Fillet Mignon of Gak, Gelatinous Ground Gak, Fully boned Gak Roasts and plenty of extra fatty Gak Cheek Meat!)

Palooka fidgets.

Yaps smacks his lips.

Palooka nods.

Xeldria says, "Hrm."

Palooka recites:

"START COOKING,,, and stuff... time begins now."

Palooka nods to you.

Palooka recites:

"I for one love roast Gak... with a bitta Halfling Horseradish sauce"

Palooka rubs his chin thoughtfully.

(Xeldria dashes towards the stand madly with a large pan and several assistant. She grabs choices portions of the gak and rolton, hording them greedily as she returns to her cooking area.)

Xeldria asks, "What?"

Xeldria stares off into space.

You recite:

"I can not say I have had many of those items finely cooked, mainly just burnt over a campfire."

Yaps says, "5 minutes."

Yaps grins at Xeldria.

Xeldria snickers.

Spaewife says, "I think they want you to share"

Palooka recites:

"You should be preparing you first ACTion contestants..."

Palooka recites:

"Time is ticking..."

Palooka recites:

"3 minutes until we hear from Yaps...."

Xeldria gives Yaps a little prod between the shoulder blades.

You recite:

"Time is running fast, I wonder what they will have for us."

You recite:

"More than halfway through."

Palooka recites:

"I see that Aemergin is used to being in the kitchen,,,, though with all the hand minors he sports, I worry about safety with cutlery"

[Silverwood Manor, Courtyard]

Also here: Lord Dicendarq, Yaps, Lady Xeldria, Mentor Palooka, Mentor Spaewife, Lorekeeper Taylir, Aemergin

Obvious paths: east, out.

Palooka begins chuckling at Aemergin.

You see Yaps Snappy.

He appears to be a Malghava Halfling.

He appears to be very young and short. He has sleepy green eyes and freckled skin. He has raggedly cut, unkempt dark brown hair with a large bald spot. He has large feet.

He is in good shape.

He is wearing an extremely blunt shovel, a small rusted watering can, some small mud-stained coveralls, an extra small pair of mud-caked gardening gloves, a pair of gardening pants, a blue silk neckpouch embroidered with a halfling gardener clenching a shovel, a halfling-fitted blue cloak splattered with specks of mud, a tiny wooden trowel pin spattered with dirt, and a vultite-link halfling chain shirt.

You recite:

"I am wondering if Yap's will be using his shovel as a spatula."

Yaps squeaks oddly.

>Palooka recites:

"Remember that the fillet of Gak is a delicate cut of meat.... perhaps heavy sauces would be too overpowering for such a cut."

You recite:

"Getting close to a minute soon."

Palooka recites:

"Add all the extras ya want... just remember,,, if you poison the judges,, I'll be angry"

Palooka stamps his feet.

You recite:

"Ya thing Xeldria can cook as fast as she can run a maze?"

Palooka glances at Yaps.

You recite:

"30 seconds"

Palooka exclaims, "oooh coming up on time to check our progress!"

You recite:

"And time is up folks, palooka will call your name."

Palooka recites:

"there are some rather foul odors emanating from Yap's kitchen..."

Yaps breaks out in a sweat.

Palooka recites:

"Yaps! show us what ya got!"

You see Aemergin Milesios the Loresinger.

He appears to be a Giantman of the Hammer Clan.

He appears to be in the prime of life and taller than average. He has piercing steel grey eyes and tanned skin. He has receding, tousled steel grey hair with a red streak running through it. He has a weathered face, a classical nose and deep laugh lines.

He has an old battle scar across his chest.

He is holding a lacquered double-necked lute in his right hand.

He is wearing some helix mithglin chain mail with a single quarter note emblazoned on the left breast, a flame-etched dark silver crown, a gold ring, some dark fel prayer beads, a black alchemy bag, a deep crimson silk sash, a stitched grey velvet cloak, an antique silver armband, a crystal amulet, a despanal-set dark silver censer, a vaalin-edged leather battle harness, some side-laced grey leather boots, some storm grey spidersilk gloves, some deathstone earrings, a despanal wedding band, and an old black tome satchel.

(Yaps pulls out a quill and scroll and begins to prepare his menu. The appetizer looks to be a mixture of various herbs and vegetables in a wonderful extra fatty Gak broth. From the assistant preparation, it looks like some wonderfully marinated Rolton Chops will be a main dish.)

(Yaps winces as one of his assistants slices a finger while chopping through the Ground Gak! Hopefully this won't delay his preparations. He continues to scrawl out the menu - Leg of Rolton brushed with a dark Yabalithium glaze. Delicious!)

(Yaps completes his menu with a flourished signature and sets it aside. He begins to work on the Gak Roasts, kneading the meat in some sort of bread and flour mix.)

Palooka's jaw drops.

Palooka exclaims, "Medic!"

Yaps says, "He'll be alright."

Yaps mutters “no good help”.

You grin.

(Palooka sends a medic over to Yaps' assistant who drags the beleaguered giantman fry cook away in tears.)

You say, "May need a empath before this is over."

Naitie grins.

Palooka chuckles.

Yaps asks, "Send me some coordinated help, eh?"

Yaps waves his hand in a dismissive gesture.

Spaewife says, "don't look at me I’m watching not healin"

Palooka recites:

"Xeldria! Yer up!"

Palooka bows to Xeldria.

You say, "No one said cooking was a safe pastime"

Palooka nods to you.

Xeldria blinks.

(Xeldria dashes towards the stand madly with a large pan and several assistants. She grabs choices portions of the gak and rolton, hording them greedily as she returns to her cooking area.)

Taylir softly says, "I can't cook if my life depended on it."

Taylir slowly empties her lungs.

You grin at Taylir.

(Xeldria takes time out from her prep work to lay out a piece of parchment paper. In elegant calligraphy, she writes her menu for the day: Hot and Spicy Gak Tamales, Rolton kabobs, and Multi-meat stew!)

Palooka recites:

"Xeldria certainly has an energetic cooking style."

Palooka beams happily at Xeldria!

(Xeldria hovers over a large pan that appears to be filled with dried corn husks. She pour boiling water over them in an effort to soften them for use while causing billows of steam to rise up, obscuring her grinning face. Set beside her pan of husks, she also has numerous bamboo skewers soaking in water as well.)

Xeldria shuffles her feet.

You drool.

(Xeldria throws the fatty gak cheek meat onto her cutting board and begins mincing it finely with duel knife action! What a display!)

Palooka recites:

"Spicy food is rather 'in' this time of year.... a bit of warmth during the cool of evening."

Palooka beams happily at Xeldria!

You recite:

"They are looking tasty thus far."

Palooka nods to you.

Spaewife says, "hmm minced gak cheek."

Spaewife rubs her chin thoughtfully.

Taylir recites:

"I'm not sure about that cheek meat, will have to sample it later."

You nod to Spaewife.

Taylir shivers.

Palooka recites:

"And finally, Aemergin! Show me the Money... or the Recipe!"

You say, "A delicacy"

(Aemergin sets about preparing his cooking area at a hurried pace. Pots are arranged, flames are lit and vegetables are scrubbed. A set of wicked looking knives sits ominous in the middle of the cooking area.)

(Aemergin chops some gnollish mushrooms into tiny bits before sliding them into a pot of boiling water. Some wild rice is added, along with a sprinkle or three of various herbs and spices.)

(Aemergin grabs a few handfuls of gelatinous ground gak and changes his mind, reaching for the extra fatty gak cheek meat. A few slices later, he has six perfect cuts of gak cheek. He brushes them with two types of mustard, course and spicy, before drizzling honey over the top. He sets the honey on fire while the cheek cooks in a pan over the flames.)

Palooka recites:

"This is not going to be an easy decision, all the dishes are luxuriously creative.. in fact, I've not seen a better start in all the times I've presided over these contests!"

Palooka beams happily at Aemergin!

(Aemergin reaches for the gelatinous ground gak again and drops a bit on the floor. *SPLAT* He kicks it under the table with the toe of his boot, not missing a beat. The remaining ground gak is rolled into six balls and set aside.)

(Aemergin unfurls a sheaf of seaweed and scrubs it down with a rough brush before cutting it into six triangles. He then grabs a few stalks of rosemary and strips away most of the leaves, leaving an few sparse leaves on the top of his rosemary spears.)

Aemergin nods to Palooka.

Palooka recites:

"Time for the second phase starts now!"

You recite:

"All the chefs have an interesting mix of spices and meat happening."

Palooka recites:

"I'm rather pleased with Xeldria's rolton kabobs so far.... I do believe that an orcish mustard sauce or perhaps a puree' of lemon grass and garlic spiced with a bit of nutmeg and a good balsamic vinegar would go well with that"

Spaewife says, "and um some extras it seems"

You recite:

"I am just hoping that Aemergin's battle scar is from a orc and not an angry taster."

Palooka recites:

"However I do so love a good Yabathilium glaze..."

Palooka nods to you.

You recite:

"His mix of mustards should make an interesting taste."

Palooka says, "Aemergin has a lot to lose during this contest... that reputation as a glutton... err gourmet, might suffer"

Palooka whistles tunelessly to himself.

You laugh out loud!

You recite:

"Two minutes left."

(Palooka takes the time to check up on Yaps' injured assistant, who is still weeping and holding his injured hand.)

You recite:

"I hope no one slips on the mess the dropped food and the blood is making."

You recite:

"Looks like someone is thinking about adding crickets to the menu."

Aemergin mutters under his breath.

Taylir giggles.

(Palooka sends over a couple kobold maintenance kobolds to clean up the area. Safety is always stressed during this event.)

Spaewife snickers.

You recite:

"About 30 seconds."

You recite:

"And time is up folks."

You grin.

Palooka recites:

"Crickets? rather rare at this time of year, with the cooling temperatures, a delicacy to be sure. I prefer crickets and hoppers of grass chocolate dipped as a garnish."

Taylir's face turns slightly pale.

Spaewife snickers.

(Varisad gazes at the food in wonder and anticipation.)

Palooka recites:

"Lets check up on Yaps, and hope the rest of his staff has come thus far unscathed!"

(Yaps moves with amazing dexterity as he begins chopping vegetables in preparation for his Gak broth. The fatty meat has reached a sweet smelling simmer and large bubbles push through the top layer skin.)

(Yaps steps over to a second counter as an assistant moves in to stir the broth. Yaps begins applying the fine Yabathilium glaze to the Leg of Rolton, tasting the glaze and adding additional spices as needed.)

(Yaps checks the status of the Rolton Chops marinade and nods in satisfaction. He places the Gak Roasts into an awaiting oven, awaiting the perfect golden brown touch. )

(Yaps nods as the fillet mignon sizzles delicately in a nearby skillet. He wipes his hands on his coveralls, blushes, then wipes his hands again on a nearby rag.)

Yaps nods.

You grin.

Spaewife says, "additional flavoring"

Spaewife coughs.

Spaewife gazes up into the heavens.

Palooka recites:

"I Love marinated rolton chops.... bit of honey, mustard and perhaps fresh Basil... don't use Acantha, its too bitter"

Spaewife says, "dunno where them overalls have been"

Yaps attends to his mud-stained coveralls, making the coveralls as presentable as possible.

Palooka recites:

"And turning our attention to Xeldria, who's gotten her culinary groove on, it seems"

Palooka bows to Xeldria.

You recite:

"Scrumptious so far, I just hope the roasts are not to well done."

Palooka nods to you.

Palooka says, "and let them rest for a few moments before slicing... don't lose all the juices"

(Xeldria scurries quickly yet calmly between two boiling iron pots. In one large pot, she has stewing diced onions, carrots and celery, their savory aroma beginning to waft deliciously around the room. In the other, she has corn kernels being cooked to tender perfection.)

(Xeldria takes time out to smile and wink at the judging panel as she lays out her softened corn husks on the countertop. With style and panache, she throws in the minced cheek meat in with the cooked corn kernels! Bam!)

Palooka flirts with Xeldria.

(Xeldria throws in several chopped stalks of lemongrass into a small sauce pot with the drippings from the cooked rolton meat, their tantalizing aroma reaching out to the audience. She then carefully seasons the burgeoning sauce with saffron, oregano, mince garlic, and a whole lot of dice red chili peppers! Hot stuff!)

Aemergin stares at Xeldria.

You grin.

Xeldria gasps.

(Xeldria in her haste, nearly forgets about her other pots! Oh no! She dashes over to the stew base and sighs in relief that it isn't ruined. Oh what a close one.)

Taylir softly says, "Oh there's that cheek meat."

Taylir's face turns slightly pale.

(Xeldria unceremoniously dumps large chunks of gak meat into her stew, amazingly throwing in potatoes and.. what is that?! She's adding in the hooves too for flavoring!)

Spaewife's face turns slightly pale.

Palooka recites:

"Gracious me.... a cook that creates 'burgeoning sauces'!"

Spaewife says, "must be thickening"

Palooka smirks.

You ponder.

Spaewife gazes up into the heavens.

Palooka winks.

You recite:

"I wonder how those hooves will affect the taste"

(Xeldria dips her spoon into the stew and raises skyward before licking it, smiling in satisfaction at the result.)

Xeldria nods to Palooka.

Palooka recites:

"And last, but not hardly least, Aemergin... who's giving the other chefs a run for their lives and stuff"

Taylir giggles.

(Aemergin drains the water from the mushroom and rice mixture. He spreads it out on the counter and begins rolling the ground gak in it. After each ball is covered in rice, he wraps it in seaweed and stabs it with a rosemary spear.)

(Aemergin sets the flame low before tossing his seaweed balls in a pan and letting them cook. Smoke trails out of the opening around the rosemary spear, looking like smoke from a tribal tent.)

Spaewife rubs her chin thoughtfully.

You recite:

"We may need some cool ale with these recipes, some hot stuff is cooking."

Spaewife says, "interesting"

Palooka recites:

"The use of seaweed is a fine choice,,, a rather Burgan Halfling touch, I personally believe is meant to placate mine own discriminating palate!"

(Aemergin flips the gak cheek in the pan and drizzles more honey over the top, letting it soak. He tosses a few spices in for good measure before covering it with a lid, letting it steam.)

You grin.

Palooka smiles.

(Aemergin grabs two knives from the block in the middle of the cooking area and juggles them playfully while waits for his dishes to cook.)

You recite:

"Nothing wrong with cooking for the panels personal tastes"

(Aemergin lets both knives fall point first into a block of wood, where they stick and wobble. He checks on the seaweed balls and flips the gak cheeks one last time, brushing them with some of the honey-mustard sauce that has been simmering in the bottom of the pan.)

Aemergin slowly empties his lungs.

Aemergin nods to Palooka.

You recite:

"Showy and tasty looking"

Palooka recites:

"Great! Next we'll see the final plating and presentation of the completed dishes... Use of dramatic and artful presentation is sure to earn big points with the judges! Final 5 minutes begins now!"

Palooka nods to you.

Palooka recites:

"We're definitely working with professional chefs here.. I'm going to have to really think about my decision, once presentation and tasting are complete."

Palooka glances at Xeldria.

This may be my first competition of this type, but I doubt I will see any better in the future

You recite:

"This may be my first competition of this type, but I doubt I will see any better in the future"

Palooka recites:

"I am particularly fond of the Saffron dish Xeldria is working on."

Palooka nods to you.

You recite:

"The honey glaze being used makes a great accent to most meats and rosemary should add a very nice taste also."

Palooka recites:

"Saffron, being on of the most expensive spices because it is being only the stamen from a rare flower,, is verily rare in Elanthian cooking. Gracious me, the simple touches make the difference between a hack and a great chef"

You recite:

"Close to two minutes left"

Palooka exclaims, "Yaps is feeling the pressure, look at him working on 2 dishes at once with both hands, and stirring the last item with his left leg!"

Yaps dusts off a pair of gardening pants.

Palooka chuckles.

You recite:

"Xeldria still has not slowed down her frantic pace"

You recite:

"30 seconds"

Palooka recites:

"And Aemergin looks about finished with most of his dishes.. His presentations are becoming more artful than should be legal. I'd not want to ruin how good all the dishes from all the contestants look."

You recite:

"Some interesting smells are wafting out of Aemergin's area"

You recite:

"Time!"

Palooka beams!

[Silverwood Manor, Courtyard]

Also here: Daerye, Yaps, Lady Xeldria, Lorekeeper Palooka, Mentor Spaewife, Lorekeeper Taylir, Aemergin

You sniff.

Yaps lets out a long, contemplative breath.

You say, "mmm"

Palooka recites:

"Here we have it! Tasting and Judgment, and choosing and voting for the winners!.... lets have the contestants present their creations to the panel."

You flash a wide grin.

Palooka turns to face Yaps.

Yaps nods.

(Yaps dips a large ladle into the stewpot and produces three nearly-overfilled bowls of Cheeky Gak Stew. Steam raises off each bowl as the minced herbs swirl about in the center of the concoction.)

(Yaps produces a finely arranged platter featuring Yaba Rolton. Each leg is smothered with a dark Yabathilium fruit glaze and adorned elegantly with orange peel garnishes.)

(Yaps removes the lid from another display platter and reveals his Breaded Gak Roasts. Toasted bread has been wrapped around each roast and each has been speared with a maoral toothpick decorated with small multi-colored ribbonings.)

(Yaps brings out the pride of his menu - Marinated Rolton Chops served with stuffed baked potatoes and a sparse bit of salad. The chops have each been cut to show the marinade has fully saturated the meat, insuring a savory, juicy mouthful for every bite.)

Yaps wipes the sweat from his brow.

Palooka beams!

You say, "Very nice"

Palooka recites:

"Amazing accomplishment in very little time Yaps, I'm sure you'll be one of our three prize winners!"

Yaps snickers.

Taylir giggles.

You glance at Palooka.

Palooka recites:

"Xeldria, m'dear you're up! Move it, Move it!"

Palooka smirks.

Delyorik just arrived.

(Xeldria unceremoniously dumps large chunks of gak meat into her stew, amazingly throwing in potatoes and.. what is that?! She's adding in the hooves too for flavoring!)

Delyorik squints.

Xeldria says, "Oops."

Delyorik asks, "Gods...what's that smell?"

Delyorik coughs.

Palooka begins chuckling at Delyorik.

(Xeldria serves her delicious stew to the judging panel with a wink. She carefully ladles large chunks of rolton and gak meat along with the delectable vegetables into the ceramic serving bowls. And she makes absolutely sure no bits of hooves have been included in the servings.)

(Xeldria with a dash of cracked pepper to top of the stew, hands each steaming bowl to the judges.)

Palooka beams happily at Xeldria!

Delyorik sneezes.

(Xeldria meticulously displays her steaming Hot and Spicy Gak Tamales that have been plated with wonderful tri-colored bell pepper sauce on the side for dipping. The gak cheek meat looks absolutely mouth watering within the corn husk wraps sprinkled with gold leaf.)

Xeldria quietly says, "You should dip the tamale in the sauce before eating to accentuate the full flavor of the gak."

Palooka smiles at Xeldria.

Palooka nods to Xeldria.

(Delyorik leans over to Palooka and loudly whispers, "Did she say gag or gak?")

Delyorik cocks his head at Palooka.

Palooka says, "Gak."

(Xeldria brandishes her rolton kabobs like a broadsword, gleaming in the sunlight with its delicious spicy saffron glaze over the rich chunks of meat. The tips of each skewer have been tied with russet and crimson ribbons and topped off with beautiful autumn blooms.)

Delyorik nods to Palooka.

Palooka says, "as is the delicate meat of the critters in the pasturelands"

Daerye says, "this is truly nice"

(Xeldria bows slightly to each judge and lets them enjoy her dishes.)

The silvery luminescence fades from around Taylir.

You say, "I doubt it would have mattered if we had other competitors. No one would have beat these three."

(Palooka is rather fearful of becoming accidentally part of Xeldria's Rolton Kabobs)

You grin.

Xeldria grins.

Palooka ducks his head.

Palooka applauds Xeldria.

Yaps smacks his lips.

Yaps nods to Xeldria.

Yaps says, "Save some for me."

Xeldria chuckles.

Xeldria says, "Will do."

Palooka recites:

"And finally, the work of Aemergin, the Over seasoned, yet strangely addictive so that you can't have but just one!"

You laugh out loud!

Aemergin smirks.

(Aemergin sets about preparing his serving plates, paying careful attention to the garnishing. Cactacae spine has been split down the middle and filled with a peanut-banana crème.)

Xeldria grins.

You blink.

You say, "Interesting"

(Aemergin arranges some fresh berries on the plate next to the spine, a great contrast in color. A honey-mustard gak cheek is laid on one side of the spine while a ground gak and rice seaweed ball is set on the other side.)

Delyorik rubs his chin thoughtfully.

(Aemergin repeats the pattern on each plate. At the last minute, he attaches a promissory note to the bottom of each plate.)

Aemergin softly hums a merry tune, embellishing upon the melody's jaunty lilt.

Xeldria snickers.

Delyorik grins.

You beam!

Taylir chuckles.

Yaps snickers.

(Aemergin serves the plates to the judges with a wink and a grin, looking cool and confident. He waggles his fingers mystically at each person before they take their first bite.)

Palooka recites:

"A rather festive presentation, and notice the use of fall colors"

Yaps says, "And the use of multiple zeroes."

You nod to Palooka.

Xeldria smirks.

Yaps coughs.

(Aemergin leans back against his cooking area, watching carefully as the judges’ taste.)

Aemergin nods to Palooka.

Palooka smiles.

Xeldria says, "Eat the note too."

Xeldria winks.

Xeldria stares off into space.

Aemergin stares at Xeldria.

(Palooka eats the note)

Palooka nods to Xeldria.

Taylir begins chuckling at Palooka.

You ask, "The notes seasoned?"

Xeldria cackles!

Xeldria gives Aemergin a little prod between the shoulder blades.

Yaps pops his message into his mouth and smiles.

[Silverwood Manor, Courtyard]

Also here: Daerye, Yaps, Lady Xeldria, Lorekeeper Palooka, Mentor Spaewife, Lorekeeper Taylir, Aemergin

Obvious paths: east, out.

Aemergin starts chortling.

Palooka recites:

"I don't know where you folks get your notes, but Aemergin’s come unseasoned."

Palooka frowns.

Yaps snickers.

You snap your fingers.

Aemergin grins.

You say, "That may cost em"

You grin.

Aemergin nods to Palooka.

Xeldria stares off into space.

Xeldria says, "That'll really cost him."

Xeldria smirks.

Palooka says, "ok then... the panel will adjourn to the manor for 3 minutes to judge"

Aemergin grins at Xeldria.

Palooka bows to Aemergin.

Yaps wrings his hands.

Palooka bows to Xeldria.

Palooka bows to Yaps.

[Silverwood Manor, Vestibule]

Leafy potted plants lean serenely against the carved edging surrounding the entry to the manor. Hanging from gleaming vultite chains, a glittering chandelier illuminates the entire vestibule. A grand tapestry covers the span of the western wall, its bright colors prominent against the dark mahogany panels. Brilliant silver and maroon print carpet runs the length of the room, cushioning each step upon entry. You also see a carved haonwood door and a carved marble arch.

Lorekeeper Palooka's group just came through a carved haonwood door.

Time passes as the judges confer in secret…….

Lorkeeper Palooka’s group just went into the courtyard.

[Silverwood Manor, Courtyard]

Also here: Malikary, Milz, Daerye, Yaps, Lady Xeldria, Aemergin

Xeldria chuckles.

Palooka recites:

"There has been a tie…. three ways, if you can believe it. To Break such as this impasse, we’ve elected a 5 minute presentation round. Theme is Delightful deserts with Freshest Fall Fruits..... your time begins now."

Xeldria chuckles.

Aemergin snaps his fingers.

Palooka chuckles.

Xeldria stares off into space.

Palooka recites:

"5 minutes to present the most Decadent, most Horrendously extravagant fall desert"

You recite:

"This has gotta be delicious to win it all"

Spaewife grins.

Palooka says, "and the winner will be chosen from the ranks of the undisputedlish Grand fall confection ever to grace the forks of a halfling... a Higher caller does not exist"

You grin.

You recite:

"Minute and a half"

Palooka recites:

"And my standards are those by which all other halfings judge food.... and are impossibly high and unreasonable... but I don care much for tarts..."

Palooka rubs his chin thoughtfully.

You laugh out loud!

You exclaim, "He doesn’t, he is not the only voter though!"

You grin.

Palooka nods to you.

You recite:

"Less that one remaining"

Spaewife whispers to the group, "if I was doing it, I'd use a large brandy sniffer, with three alternating layers of vanilla crème with different berries topped with sliced strawberries and a nice dark chocolate covering. and waxed fall leaves framing the base."

You glance at Spaewife.

Spaewife rocks back on her heels.

You whisper, "I vote for Spae" to your group.

You recite:

"And...."

Palooka recites:

"And the judges are coming up with some great ideas of their own....."

Spaewife whispers to the group, "but that’s just me and I would be lots more detailed"

Palooka chuckles.

You recite:

"Time!"

Palooka beams!

Yaps falls over.

You grin at Yaps.

Daerye giggles.

Palooka recites:

"And now... without further A-do, or B-do or Ski-do.... Yaps!"

You say, "yaps out, cooked himself to death"

(Yaps runs back to his cooking area and scrambles for dishes and ingredients. He slices up some apples into neat little wedges and sprinkles cinnamon on each. Moving with an unknown quickness, he stabs his knife into a pumpkin, slices it open, pulls out the innards, scrubs the outside clean, and smashes it all into a pot.)

Daerye asks, "anyone want me to run to the Baker for ye?"

(Yaps spins, stirs, and shakes the mashed up pumpkin and tosses it into the oven. He turns the heat up to an insanely hot level and is blasted onto his behind by the roaring flames. He hastily turns the fires down a bit, removes the concoction from the oven and sloshes it into a pie tin.)

Yaps stands up.

(Yaps grimaces as the pie quickly cools down. He begins decorating the tin by sticking the sliced cinnamon apples in an arrangement depicting a smiling Halfling face.)

You grin.

Yaps breaks out in a sweat.

Taylir grins.

Palooka exclaims, "ooohh...... And we're soooo fond of pumpkin pie!"

You say, "very nice"

Spaewife rubs her chin thoughtfully.

Palooka recites:

"Very very nice"

Spaewife says, "interestin"

Spaewife nods to Palooka.

Spaewife giggles.

Daerye applauds.

Spaewife whispers to the group, "pumpkin points"

Taylir rubs her chin thoughtfully.

You whisper, "But he left the rinds!" to your group.

Taylir whispers to the group, "and took all the colors away!"

Spaewife nods to Taylir.

Spaewife nods to you.

You smile.

Palooka recites:

"And... on to Xeldria, love of my life, my reason for existence, cream in my coffee, apple of my eye.... Spring,,, of my eternally desolate winter... whom I've not really ever met before and hold no favoritism"

A pained expression crosses Yaps's face.

Palooka smirks.

Taylir begins chuckling at Palooka.

Taylir laughs softly, trying to hide her amusement.

Xeldria chuckles.

Xeldria cracks her knuckles!

Spaewife says, "he lies well"

Spaewife nods.

Spaewife says, "but I wn't tell yas what part he liein about"

(Xeldria displays in front of the judges the ultimate autumn dessert. The beautiful three tiered fall pie-cake stands upon chocolate pillars crafted to look like bare tree trunks dusted with gold leaf to look like fallen foliage.)

Taylir softly says, "Nah, he's just very... wordy."

(Xeldria points towards the bottom layer, a delectable pumpkin pie. The rich dark color is rivaled only in the spicy aroma of the pumpkin and nutmeg. A bright orange marzipan pumpkin sit at its center.)

Palooka's jaw drops.

(Xeldria now directs your attention to the middle layer. This beautiful golden brown apple pie features a flaky buttery crust that has been arranged with additional puff pastry to appear like fanned out oak leaves. A hint of cinnamon rises as she pokes a thin skewer into the mouth watering pie.)

You whisper, "pumpkin points" to your group.

Palooka whispers, "major points..."

(Xeldria proudly show off the top layer, a tiny mince meat pie that is small enough to be called a tart instead of a pie. The wonderful aroma of the spices and nuts mingles harmoniously with the pumpkin and apple from the tiers below, resulting in a symphony for the senses.)

Taylir whispers to the group, "Colors!"

You grin.

Palooka rubs his chin thoughtfully.

Aramina just arrived.

Xeldria says, "This lovely dessert make a beautiful autumn wedding cake."

Palooka recites:

"Definitely extravagant......"

Spaewife whispers to the group, "yeppers. cackle.. I like it"

Xeldria nods.

Daerye applauds.

You recite:

"Wonderful work"

Aemergin nods to Palooka.

Spaewife nods to Palooka.

Palooka recites:

"I can feel my arteries hardening already...."

Xeldria grins.

Spaewife laughs!

You laugh out loud!

You grin at Palooka.

Aemergin says, "You've not seen anything yet."

Aemergin softly hums a merry tune, embellishing upon the melody's jaunty lilt.

Xeldria stares off into space.

You say, "Ok we are done"

You glance at Aemergin.

You grin at Aemergin.

Spaewife gives Aemergin a good pinch!

Xeldria says, "Aemergin doesn't count. He said so himself."

Xeldria nods.

Palooka recites:

"And For the final desert, the one to end this contest....we turn to Aemergin, who still doesn't get to vote."

Aemergin says, "Xeldria is soft in the head, she said so herself."

Aemergin grins.

Taylir whispers to the group, "Squash woulda been a good one too."

You say, "lets hope it ends it"

(Aemergin steals his plates back from the judges and scavenges the berries from them. After mashing them up into a gritty blob of jam in a dirty pot from earlier, he sets the pot aside.)

(Aemergin grabs another chunk of fatty gak cheek and trims the fat, tossing the meat aside. He tosses the fat into the same pot as the mashed berries and gives it a quick stir.)

A pained expression crosses Veska's face.

Spaewife scratches her head.

Palooka whispers to the group, "but a four tiered cake would have killed me if it fell over"

Xeldria stares off into space.

Palooka rubs his chin thoughtfully.

You grin at Palooka.

(Aemergin kneels down and looks for the gelatinous ground gak that fell on the ground earlier. He fumbles with it for a moment, rolling it on the floor before picking it up and tossing it into the pot.)

Spaewife gives Palooka a little prod between the shoulder blades.

(Aemergin pours some vinegar into the pot and then lights the whole mess on fire. An eerie green cloud of stench floats up from the pot before turning crimson and then disappearing.)

Taylir softly says, "I might just get sick."

You drool.

Spaewife nods to Taylir.

Veska covers her nose tightly.

Palooka's jaw drops.

Veska says, "oh my"

You say, "Unique"

Veska's face turns slightly pale.

Aemergin glances at Palooka.

Palooka recites:

"Am I at Ebon's gate?"

Aemergin glances at Spaewife.

Palooka gazes in wonder at his surroundings.

Aemergin glances at you.

(Aemergin waggles his fingers at the pot while singing a triumphant tune under his breath. The pot turns into a beautiful crystal serving tray covered in the freshest fruits and berries, with small partitions containing various dipping cremes and chocolates.)

Spaewife says, "Never seen vinegar burn before"

You blink.

Palooka nods to Spaewife.

Xeldria stares off into space.

You say, "Now thats a trick"

Taylir rubs her crystal green eyes.

Aemergin winks.

Spaewife cackles!

Xeldria smirks.

Taylir squints.

(Aemergin winks at the judges again as he indicates the crystal serving tray with a flourish. Just to prove that it is all tasty, he grabs a slice of fruit and dips it in chocolate, letting it harden before he devours it with a grin.)

Veska raises an eyebrow.

Yaps snickers.

Xeldria says, "Magic. Uhuh."

Palooka recites:

"Probably a spell of the spirit circle.... too creepy for us wizards"

Spaewife laughs!

Aemergin nods to Palooka.

Aemergin grins.

Xeldria says, "That ain't no spirit spell."

Xeldria chuckles.

Aramina pokes Palooka in the ribs.

Daerye applauds.

Palooka applauds.

Palooka nods.

You recite:

"Now thats one way to cook"

Xeldria pokes Aemergin in the ribs.

Veska appears to be trying hard not to grin.

Palooka recites:

"Give us 2 minutes...... back to deliberations!"

Palooka clasps Aramina's hand tenderly.

Mentor Palooka's group just came through a carved haonwood door.

- More deliberations follow…..

Mentor Palooka’s group just returned to the Cooking Contest area.

Palooka exclaims, "he we go!"

You chuckle.

[Silverwood Manor, Vestibule]

Palooka recites:

"We have the Winners!"

You grin.

Palooka bows.

You remove a tall white linen hat from in your dark viperskin cloak.

Xeldria lets out a cheer!

(Taylir knows who won.... Taylir knows who won..)

Aemergin exclaims, "Another tie!"

Aemergin lets out a cheer!

Taylir whistles tunelessly to herself.

Daerye applauds.

You wave your white linen hat around.

Xeldria kicks Aemergin!

Aemergin grins.

Aramina whispers to the group, "aemergin scares me with his recipes.. anyone see him at the bardfest?"

Taylir nods to Aramina.

You shake your head.

Xeldria says, "We'll have to go into sudden death overtime.. and without your armor.."

Palooka recites:

"In Third place, with a grand showing and amazing culinary skill.... we have Yaps!"

Xeldria glances at Aemergin.

Aramina shudders.

Yaps's face lights up with joy.

Spaewife whispers to the group, "no laugh"

Aemergin's jaw drops.

You bow to Yaps.

Veska applauds.

You applaud.

Xeldria applauds.

Yaps bursts out in a resounding cheer!

Palooka applauds Yaps.

Aemergin applauds Yaps.

Daerye applauds Yaps.

Taylir applauds Yaps.

You offer your white linen hat to Yaps, who has 30 seconds to accept the offer.

Yaps bows.

Spaewife applauds Yaps.

Yaps says, "Thank ya."

Yaps has accepted your offer and is now holding a tall white linen hat.

You remove a golden tasting spoon from in your dark viperskin cloak.

Aemergin says, "Nice work."

Aemergin nods to Yaps.

Palooka recites:

"Though it was so difficult, to make a choice, you all could have had first place"

Yaps puts a tall white linen hat on his head.

You say, "Great work"

You remove a stained leather tome from in your dark viperskin cloak.

Veska grins at Yaps.

You raise your tasting spoon skyward!

You raise your leather tome skyward!

Palooka recites:

"And in Second place, with the most frightening knifework and desert preparation I've ever seen is Aemergin!"

Aemergin glances at you.

Spaewife glances at Aemergin.

You applaud.

Yaps turns to Aemergin and cheers!

Aemergin cackles!

You let out a cheer!

Xeldria turns to Aemergin and cheers!

Veska giggles.

Aemergin raises his malt whiskey in a toast!

Spaewife applauds Aemergin.

You raise your tasting spoon skyward!

Taylir grins.

You offer your tasting spoon to Aemergin, who has 30 seconds to accept the offer> *

Aemergin has accepted your offer and is now holding a golden tasting spoon.

Daerye applauds Aemergin.

You exclaim, "And in first!"

You say, "umm"

Yaps says, "But who will win first prize! The suspense is killing me."

Aemergin grins.

Xeldria starts chortling.

Aramina grins.

You hug Xeldria with a smile.

Yaps turns to Xeldria and cheers!

You smile.

Palooka recites:

"And in First, is of course, Xeldria with well..... an amazing presentation of fall in all aspects of her dishes"

Xeldria hugs you, and you wrap her in a warm embrace.

Xeldria chuckles.

Taylir snaps her fingers.

Taylir giggles.

You offer your leather tome to Xeldria, who has 30 seconds to accept the offer

Xeldria has accepted your offer and is now holding a stained leather tome.

Aemergin says, "You have to win a mantle soon, to store all of your trophies, Xeldria."