Outside, it is cold (26F) and overcast. There is still 14" of snow on the ground.
You set aside any ideas of distributing treasure, because Darian and Jesse have to get married.
John and Ricblane join you, having just finished training.
A mad rush ensues, as people run about making the last minute preparations.
As the clock strikes noon all is ready. The one non-party guest arrives: Mistress Caterina, retired from her adventuring career and now running a lucrative...house...here in Sandas.
The ceremony is held in the formal living room of the Occa's mansion. It is hard to believe that just over a year ago, a party was battling monsters for their very lives in these very rooms. Now, the place is the picture of gentility.
The High Priest Orlon, who serves Idun, the goddess of spring and eternal youth as well as Thor, takes his place before the fireplace. He is dressed in his full clerical regalia, including brocaded robes, pointy hat and a crook. Jesse enters, a vision of feminine grace and beauty, and is joined by Darian and his best man, Gilstrock.
Orlon conducts the ceremony while the rest of you watch. Darian and Jesse say their vows, and they are joined in holy matrimony. To conclude the ceremony, Orlon makes them taste the Holy Cold Pizza, and then hits them in the face with two Holy Cream Pies of Thor.
After that, toasts are made, the register is signed, and the bride and groom are led off to have their wedding portraits taken by some strange looking man with thinning hair and a big nose that Frau Hilda hired.
When they return several hours later, you all pile into a collection of rented carraiges and head for the Mage's Guild for the reception...
Soon, you all arrive at the Guild of Mages for the reception. As you enter the grand foyer you are greeted by a most impressive sight:
A custom made river gondola with fine fabric cushions on the seats and a removable shade awning that has a shallow draft, is light-weight and painted with a gypsy flavor. The whole boat is light enough to transport on a hand-drawn, custom cart (ie. wheels and a frame) and maneuverable enough to be rowed by one. It is outfitted with storage places for a removable picnic basket, wine bottles and other drinks. In addition, it has a set of fine china, glassware and utensils for two.
The giver of this fine present for Jesse and Darian is anonymous.
After a round of drinks, you adjourn to the main dining room for a splendid feast. The head chef of the Baron's is as fine as his reputation indicated, and the repast is superb. The ooomph-pah band plays unobtrusively in the background. Many of the city's movers and shakers are here, and as the evening continues more and more people arrive. Indeed, after a few hours, it seems as if half of the city's population is present.
More and more people continue to pour into the dining chamber, and you hear even more outside...far more than you ever invited. You start to hope that the food holds out. The beer and wine flows freely, and the crowd is getting more boisterous.
Making his way through the crowd towards you at the head table you become aware of a rather rustically clad man. He might look a little familiar...
Orlon goes into the far reaches of his memory to remember if he has come across this man before.
"Maybe I'm starting to suffer from Oldtimer's disease," he mumbles to himself.
He finds many dark and forboding thoughts back there, but no recollection of this man.
Gonzo gives him a good looking over to see if he reconoiters him from somewhence.
Gilstrock, drumstick in one hand and mug of ale in the other, stops his merriment briefly to peer at the newcomer. He tries to see if the man looks familiar to him, and to see if he can remember where he's seen him before....
Occa, Gilstrock and Darian all recognise the fellow as being Equinox, the druid from that rather annoying party of Kadlian's, that you visited last September at the Black Keep.
Al looks at the man and asks, "Elminster? Belgarath?"
He shrugs his shoulders and continues eating.
"Equinox, is that you?"
"Bah!" A somewhat drunken Niko slurs, "Spring Equinox isn't for several months!"
"Yes, how are you, Darian?" replies the newcomer.
Darian grins. "Married."
"How come you're here and not with Kadlian's group?"
Occa says, "So, Equinox, what brings you to Sandas?"
"I found some of them quite irritating. Rather than hanging around with them anymore, I decided to head off by myself. I had no idea that I would meet up with you guys so soon, but I would like to travel with you."
"Sure thing!" Gilstrock says. "With all those agro women who were yelling at me for making jokes about killing... Brr! Join us, it's more fun, and we don't just make jokes about killing, we do... er, nevermind."
"We are already a travelling show, what's one more?" Orlon mentions. "I'm sure your skills can help the party in some way or fashion."
"I think it's time to initiate him," says Robert, one of the warrior-types, darkly. "Got a cream pie handy, Orlon..?"
Darian shrugs. "Doesn't matter to me. We're going to hell, just in case, you want to change your mind."
"I do not mind. That sounds very interesting."
Niko snorts. "He can't be very bright if he thinks going to Hell is very interesting. Of course, what do we know...we're going back again!"
"By the way, how are Kadlian and friends doing?"
"Yes, we have not heard from them for several months," adds a new voice. You see Ming, Ray Jay's assistant, step out of the crowd. "Hello, Caterina..."
Caterina smiles and sails towards Ming. "How lovely to see you again dear!" she purrs, hugging him warmly and pressing herself against him most lewdly. She whispers in his ear, then kisses his face lightly while running her hands down his arms.
Ming returns the embrace as only he can. He smiles at her whispered words.
Darian smiles warmly. "Ming! Glad you could make it. Was Ray Jay able to attend? I haven't seen him, yet."
"He is preoccupied."
Ming, for that matter seems to be preoccupied with Caterina.
"Are you going to introduce your friend to us?" Orlon asks Gilstrock. Without waiting for a reply, Orlon speaks, "Hello, I am Orlon, the high priestess who proceeded over this fine ceremony. Join us and be merry."
"Thank you." Equinox replies.
Catrina looks at Orlon in surprise. "Have you gone over then .. decided to become one of the better race?" she asks, walking over to give Orlon a quick feel. "Hmmm, I think you need to check that spell dear. It didn't seem to work." she comments softly.
"Orlon, you are damn ugly for a priestess!" Al chimes in after Catrina's similar comment.
"Hey, at least I shaved my legs for the ceremony," Orlon lifts up his robe to prove it.
"If I was a woman, I'd go lesbian." Al says with a chuckle.
Caterina chuckles, "Me too!" giving Jesse an affectionate hug and a wink.
"That wouldn't be a bad idea. I wonder if Who Knows likes being a woman now?" Orlon smirks.
"Who was a man?" Al asks with his eyebrows raised in question.
"Oh, I guess you didn't know that Who Knows used to be a man," Orlon winks.
"No, I didn't... what's the story with that?" he asks, rather intrigued.
Occa says, "Sounds like Who Knows was a man, not who, he's on first."
"I don't know." replies Jesse.
Caterina laughs lightly, "Are you sure? I thought what was on first, or was that I don't know? No, he was on third for sure .. maybe you are right. I don't care anyway." Caterina finishes, wrinkling her delicate brow.
Occa takes a long drink and says, "I can't keep them straight."
"Where did you get this wine from," Orlon asks. "It looks like they can't hold it."
"What?" Al asks.
"'Priestess'??!!" chimes in Bubba. "Hey baby, get over here!"
"I have no use for things with an attitude," Orlon snubs Bubba.
"I've more than just an attitude, cutie!" says the sword.
"Maybe you and MC can hit it off together," Orlon laughs.
Emm grins. "Bubba, you're too much."
"I must be suffering from Post Marriage ceremony Syndrome," Orlon smirks.
Caterina smiles at Orlon, "I understand completely. It is a heady experience, and I think Darian and Jesse have a lot to look forward to -- especially with the gift I gave them!" Caterina grins, snagging another glass of champaign as it goes by.
Occa stumbles over to the boat thingie and takes a look at it.
And so the evening goes. After a few more hours reception has degenerated into little better than a drunken melee. The crowds starts spilling out into the streets, a brawl starts and people begin looting local businesses. Not long after that the city watch appears, and after several several people are killed, a few dozen injured and a hundred or so are arrested and carried off to Baron's dungeons, order is restored.
In other words, it was a great party.