June Event - Cukey-Scary [The Cucumber Festival]

[pumpkinhollow]

**Plain text version here.

CUKEY-SCARY

Come one, come all!

The long-awaited festival to enjoy vegetables and welcome in the summer months has finally arrived - and this time, completely uninhibited by curses!

Pumpkin Hollow's streets are bright and bustling, adorned with green ribbons, baskets of flowers, and freshly arranged shop stalls to market their goods to the festival-goers as they mill about the streets surrounding the Festival Green. Cheering crowds watch performers perched upon stages, jaunty music played by thoroughly energized bands fills the air, and the smell of freshly-cut cucumbers is carried on the breeze.

Welcome to the Cucumber Festival, a sorely-missed holiday held exclusively on Marrow Isle. It is a festival begun at the town's inception to encourage the newly-established farming community, which was rapidly embraced from then on. Many smaller-scale gardeners dedicate vast amounts of energy in joining farmers to make the festival possible, and this year is more abundant than ever, thanks to the efforts of the new arrivals taking up the farming mantles. The merriment sprawls all over the Festival Green, and even further into the town.

One question yet remains: where to begin?

Cucumber Celebrations Commence!

Copious Cucumber Cuisine

With the cucumber harvest more bountiful this year than it'd ever been, the booths have a wide assortment of offerings - cucumber chips, fried pickles, bowls of salad, breads with chunks of vegetable in them, fritters, among the wide tide of other culinary delights. If you can make it with a cucumber, these people have!

Almost as abundant as the attendees are, the stalls and booths set up with cucumber-centric meals are easily found. much of it is cheap, even free in many cases, and scattered with them are other booths peddling artisan goods.

Challenges of Chance and Cheer

As much as Hollowites enjoy their food, there's rarely an opportunity that they pass up to incorporate games or rides into festivities, and the Cucumber Festival has an extremely wide variety to offer!

The Whirling Wyvern is a ride that stands shortly behind a neat arrangement of picnic tables. Rope fences wind around the ride, giving it a safe distance from any bystanders, and the surrounding area is littered with flour bags, densely stuffed to offer padding.

Watching it even briefly makes it very clear why the padding is needed: the platform, raised about two feet off the ground in the middle, begins to spin its seated riders, rotating faster and faster until they topple, roll, and fall off the sides, into the padding below. People can often be heard nearby making bets with friends to see who can stay on the longest. (It's not a recommended ride for anyone who's been drinking!)

Bumpermobiles is another ride, operating on enchantment instead of electricity and a switch, that may look familiar to some of Pumpkin Hollow's residents from more modern times! Though they lack the distinctive roofed building in favor of a section of paved road closed off with wooden beams, the small carts of the bumpermobiles resemble automobiles of the current time, outfitted with wide-edges to brace the impact they'll inevitably have on one-another! Each one seats two, but are able to be driven on their own, if you'd prefer to focus your conversations on heckling your fellow driver.

Hot Air Balloons are set up not on the Green, but just outside of it, taking a spot just off to the side that's unoccupied by booths or frequent foot-traffic. Each ride carries a maximum of three, not counting the operator, and gives any rider an impressive view of marrow isle for thirty minutes.

The Carousel stands in the center of the Festival Green, chiming cheerful music from the pillar in the center. Horses are joined by the addition of shimmering unicorns, beaked pegasi, and colorfully painted pony-drawn carts (which are crafted to be seats, for those who cannot climb on one of the other mounts).

The Wheel of Chance is a vertical wheel, perched between artisan's booths, offering low-stake prizes for a small payment! 5 Brass allows you to spin the wheel, offering one of ten available prizes:

1. a cucumber, covered in batter and fried, on a stick.
2. a goldfish in a decorative bowl.
3. a pair of pants, with several varieties to choose from.
4. a deck of playing cards.
5. a fine leather-bound notebook.
6. a set of six shot glasses.
7. a bottle of wine.
8. a basket of assorted fruits.
9. a glass-blown animal native to Marrow Isle, palm-sized, in assorted species and colors.
10. 10 Brass. Double your money!

(For any concerned about the wellbeing of the fish: the person operating the wheel assures the health of these goldfish, and that the bowls are simply for festival distribution. They do note, however, that you'll be on the hook, no pun intended, to provide the new home for the fish.)

The Cucumber Festival's Raffle is one of the most coveted opportunities to spend a small sum of brass and win one of the many prizes donated by the community, with all contributions going into community services and upkeep.

Each ticket costs 20 Brass, and each person may purchase up to 5 tickets. There will be three drawings total, granting a small prize, a medium prize, and a grand prize to each winner. One person cannot win more than one prize; if the same person draws a second prize after their first, it will be re-rolled.

To purchase a raffle ticket, please reply to the Pumpkin Hollow mod account comment with RAFFLE TICKETS as the title, also linked here, stating how many tickets your character will be buying. On JUNE 14TH, ticket purchasing will be closed, and the prizes will be rolled!

The prizes are as follows:

1. 1st (small): a telescope, with elegant engravings in the metal, donated by Elias Coldwood.
2. 2nd (medium): a set of two enchanted tea puppies, one glass and one metal, donated by Neil West.
3. 3rd (grand prize): a basket-hilt sword, well-weighted, masterfully crafted, and delightfully ornate, donated by Dahlia Leeds.

Contestants Convene for Competition

Of course, what's a festival without a little bit of friendly competition! Over the week of celebrations, the Cucumber Festival hosts the following activities for any and all participants interested in joining in the fun.

The Cucumber Growing Competition is a celebration of the farmers who made all this possible, as well as a flexing of gardening prowess. Each cucumber is measured in weight, length, and color! The prize for the best cucumber in show is simply a ribbon, but among the Pumpkin Hollow farmers, it's quite a statement to have. Career farmers, hobby gardeners, and onlookers alike gather to see the town's farmers' handiwork!

The Cooking Competition follows directly after the Cucumber Growing Competition. While the larger of the vegetables don't make for very good foods, sacrificing flavor for size, the rest of the entries are cut up and used for a variety of dishes. Chefs of all varieties are encouraged to participate to show their culinary prowess!

The Great Turnip Smash-Off is a cheeky jab at the prior year's failed festival. Wielding any tools they like, including but not limited to one's hands themselves, each contestant is allotted three minutes to destroy as many turnips as they possibly can. The prize for the cucumber festival's first annual turnip slayer is a small trophy for bragging rights!

The Water Walk is a fun sport for all ages! Lined up in rows with metal spoons full of water, the participants must walk carefully to the end of the "racetrack" to a small glass of water, with a line denoted on the side at the middle. The first person to fill their glass to or above that mark wins!

The Variety Show occurs throughout the week, offering the stage to many people of assorted talents. The first day is booked up for magicians (sleight of hand, specifically - mages are politely requested to refrain from participation), and on the following Monday, a "feat of strength" competition will showcase the might of those strongest in Pumpkin Hollow! The other days are yet to be filled, and several festival attendants are waiting with clipboards to accept submissions. Many newcomers have talents they've never seen before, so new submissions of the musical, magical, or other remarkable talent alike are not only welcome, but strongly encouraged!

Carnival Complications

Of course, not all things can go entirely peacefully in Pumpkin Hollow's festivities, and the Cucumber Festival has never been exempt from this. Though the prior years' incident was far more disruptive to the festival's celebrations, several things begin to crop up over the span of the week.

Capricious Crashers

As the festival goes on, it seems that some poltergeists have seen fit to invite themselves to the party. Two games are affected, with varying results.

The Whack-a-Mole Game, during the first night, becomes the first item to start experiencing a mild haunting. Though the specters only make themselves known when the participant is alone, there's a distinct feeling of guilt that comes with each smack, not unlike stepping on a cat's tail without realizing it. Instead of the triumphant jingle that the machine lets out when the game is complete, a stark silence settles in, as though the entire festival has frozen in time. Only then does a whisper, no louder than a breeze, brush past your ear.

Rolling a D3, the spirits haunting the whack-a-mole machine will tell you the following:

1. a secret that isn't yours to have about someone in town.
2. a piece of gossip, a shocking recent happening that may or may not be getting around in whispers.
3. a lie, carefully crafted to impact the way you see one of your fellow townsfolk.

(Mod Note: the information given is always going to be about someone nearby. When tagging into someone's top-level with the Whack-a-Mole Game who's got secrets or gossip, provide a piece of information about your character that the spirits might've said! Additionally, feel free to request a piece of information about an NPC, major or minor. For a lie, anything goes. Have fun with it!)

The Candle-Shooting Game is the next to become haunted, though the haunting is significantly more straightforward. In an act of simple mischief, the flame will occasionally withstand blasts from the water gun that should have surely snuffed it, or the flame will go out just as you line your shot up. These spirits are aiming to ruin this particular game, but not your night.

Cards and Consequences

On the outskirts of the festival, there is a strange building set up. Just a small shack, decorated with celestial trappings and a mysterious air. Above the door, a sign painted black with gold lettering says "HOUSE OF CARDS". Is it a funhouse? A fortune teller? No one's sure who set it up. Perhaps another effort of Captain Tuttle or something.

There is a sign on the double doors that make up the entrance, which reads, "Admission is free, but you must enter in pairs." And true to its word, the doors will not open unless two different people take each door's handle. Otherwise it is definitively locked.

So, choose a companion and go explore! What's the worst that could happen? All you have to do is open the door.

| CONTENT WARNINGS: mild manipulation, unreality, snakes, possible character death. |

Comments

[pineapplesalmon]

"Same here, same reason." César pulls out his keys and fiddles around to find the right one while holding the teddy bears. "It's also good for just being able to take flight or to the road to clear your head. Rex does that sometimes. He's got a couple of flight builds and a hover bike."

[worstorganplayer]

Snakes comes up with him. Transformations for those reasons don’t resonate with him too much, but the last part of the statement grips him.

“Fancy technology, huh? I would really like to get hold of some of that.”

[pineapplesalmon]

"Mmm, a hover bike wouldn't be too hard to cook up an equivalent to what Rex can build out. The others would require strapping into something and a lot more skill." He's got the right key and unlocks the door, opening it to his first floor. "Would you mind taking off your shoes? If not, I can just clean up after. Japanese girlfriend."

[worstorganplayer]

"Really? You could make one?" Snakes is definitely intrigued.

He blinks in surprise at the request. "Oh, uh, sure...." He wonders exactly how he'll accomplish that while holding onto the plushies, though.... He tries leaning against the wall and pulling down the heel of one shoe with the toes of the other shoe. It's not the usual way he gets in and out of his shoes, but he manages. He's able to get the other one off alright as well.

[pineapplesalmon]

"With my equipment back home, it'd be easy!" He's not even questioning whether he can make it; it's simpler than many of his other designs.

César laughs softly and warmly, having to do a similar struggle, but he's clearly had to do it enough that he remains relatively stable. "Thank you for indulging me. They don't wear their shoes inside their houses, and I've also got a Japanese roommate. Just something to make them both more comfortable, you know?"

[worstorganplayer]

Snakes sighs a bit at that. "Yeah, but ain't your equipment still home?" He doubts Cesar will be able to dimension hop yet, at least.

He nods. "I've seen it done with some of my workers. Seems like a useful habit to do when you can." It's not as easy back home. It definitely can't be done in dirt-floor houses. Not that Snakes spent much time in those.

[pineapplesalmon]

"Unfortunately, yes." César says too cheerfully.

"Especially is since I work on a farm!" César smirks slightly. "Imagine tracking that mud and muck all over the house... nope, can't do that."

[worstorganplayer]

Snakes sighs again at that, but doesn't pursue it.

"Yeah, that's disgusting. I didn't let my workers do that in my fancy homes back home," he says.

[pineapplesalmon]

Someday, he'll have access to his tech at home. And then things will get fun.

Fancy homes? Interesting thing to note. But César breezes over it, because he can't judge, having fancy homes himself. "And I have livestock. Here, we can drop the teddies on the couch in the parlor and then I'll take you to the kitchen. I don't have too much here that isn't already going to be used, but I can write down what you want in addition and get it to you tomorrow after my day at the farm."

[worstorganplayer]

Snakes has quite an interesting past.

"Okay." He sets them down and follows to the kitchen. "What all have you got at the farm?"

[pineapplesalmon]

"Salazar farm specializes in vegetarian protein. So fresh eggs, cheese products made by our partners from our milk, various beans. But we also have things like citrus fruit, peaches, and some apples in our greenhouse. Small batches of most vegetables. I have some citrus fruit, peaches, and fresh eggs here if you want something more immediate."

[worstorganplayer]

"All of that sounds pretty great. I'd like some cheese, and maybe some peaches too," Snakes says.

[pineapplesalmon]

"A few blocks of different cheeses?" César asks as he goes to get some peaches from the bowl on the counter and a paper bag (if anything, that's from the Limoncello), starting to bag a good six of them up. "These are fairly ripe. Make sure to take them out of the bag when you get home so they don't ripen faster."

[worstorganplayer]

A few blocks? Snakes just wants to feed himself, not an army. He's amazed at such generosity for such a short errand.

"Uh ... how many cheeses do you make?" he asks.

He takes the peaches with a nod. "Thanks."

[pineapplesalmon]

To be fair, they are small blocks. And the generosity does have a secondary purpose.

"Well they're made off-site by our partners, but there's really only a few choices. We're focusing on cheeses that can keep right now, like cheddar. They've only aged a few months, so they're mostly mild cheddars. We're trying to get some feedback on how they taste. Most of what we're doing is regular cheddar, but I do have some some with pepper in them, and I plan to do some more experimental stuff later if we can spare it. Best to know now rather than figure out things taste off in winter, you know?"

[worstorganplayer]

"Pepper cheese?" In Snakes' time, he certainly hasn't heard of such a thing. "That sounds wild. Sure, I'll try that and some cheddar. How big are these blocks?"

[pineapplesalmon]

César holds out his hands and mimes the side of a typical small block of cheese. "They're honestly not too big since it's mostly for taste-testing now. People put all sorts of things in cheese now, especially goat cheese. All different sorts of herbs, sometimes fruit even. Might get some goats eventually, just to add a bit of chaos on the farm."

[worstorganplayer]

Snakes nods thoughtfully. He can probably manage that amount.

"Huh, is that so. It seems like anything goes in the future."

Or what is the future to him.

"Goats'll definitely add chaos for you. Hope you're up for it."

[pineapplesalmon]

"And that's some of the tamest stuff we get into nowadays." César shrugs innocently. "There's multiple branches of fancy cuisine that are dedicated to exploring how food is prepared, some including even advanced chemistry."

A laugh. "Gotta keep things interesting, right? Can't let people get complacent."

[worstorganplayer]

"That is fascinating stuff," Snakes says. "I'd be interested in gettin' in on some of that." Mainly he just wants to learn all about the future, since he's still hoping to go there if he gets a choice when his second chance is sorted out.

He smirks a bit. "They sure won't in that case."

[pineapplesalmon]

"I honestly don't know too much about it, unfortunately. There's a lot of closely guarded secrets and some of the chefs are jerks. But fusion cuisine is something you'll be able to experience—Magne and I are starting to blend our cuisines. I'm Mexican-Argentine and she's Japanese."

[worstorganplayer]

"Sounds like chefs are pretty much the same everywhere," Snakes drawls.

"... Those must be some real interesting fusions." He can't even imagine how one would combine recipes from those cultures. "What do you do, have sushi burritos or something?"

[pineapplesalmon]

"Some things definitely never change, no matter the time nor place."

César laughs warmly. "More tacos than burritos, but yes. Onigiri with Mexican or Argentine ingredients. Empanadas with Japanese ingredients. Sauces added from either side. The list goes on, really."

[worstorganplayer]

"It sure seems like it."

He nods, definitely curious. "Sounds really interesting. Maybe you can open a restaurant."

[pineapplesalmon]

"Magne's thinking about putting some of the recipes in her brothel, but maybe we could make a cookbook at some point?" César rubs his chin, considering.