We return to the Party on the barge. Crates and barrels have been retrieved and searched, but more importantly, the hostages have been freed. While frazzled, they can help bring the barge back in to Waterwheel.
Once the barge is back in, it is docked beneath the Bridge by The Bridge Watchhouse.
The Party is thanked and congratulated by Rowan Hale, and rewards and official recognition are promised, and McKeag is given tomorrow off.
Lincoln finishes out his rounds in time, and can fully take tomorrow off.
The evening passes uneventfully, and restfully.
The next morning:
McKeag got an early start:
Going first to The Pearly Perch first and getting some rumors from Tam Humboldt. Lot of wealthy tourists in town who are becoming concerned about Waterwheel’s safety, and have been seen sticking mostly to The Upstream Docks and examining the infrastucture.
He then stopped by The Adventuring Guild Bridgehouse and got some info from Ferdiad Felustrone. Specifically, that The Heavy Hand is working for The Darkspire Exchange, and that interest is growing in Waterwheel. Also, after learning that The Witch, oft thought a legend about town, is supposed to show up for the closing ceremony
McKeag then headed back home to get something, and ended up back at The Pearly Perch slightly late.
Korwin brought his younger siblings, Ricky and Lavender, and met Marlowe on the way to The Pearly Perch, with plans to drop the kiddos off with their parents later.
Lincoln woke up late to an uneventful morning, and showed up at The Pearly Perch nearly last, shortly before Nell lastly McKeag.
After gathering and ordering drinks, the Party ventured forth for the day, starting with food and stone skipping!
McKeag proved to be the best of the competitors and earned the prize of a [[Items#[Pole of Collapsing](https //dnd2024.wikidot.com/magic-item pole-of-collapsing)|Pole of Collapsing]], though Korwin definitely threw the biggest rock the furthest.
Next was more food and a detour to Iron and Oak Smithy for Lincoln, Marlowe, and Nell, where Lincoln asked for a potential upgrade to his armor.
Everyone met back up and went to go try their hand at the boffers.
Marlowe and Nell competed on dry land against Mathom Flinthand and Stephan Yesteryear, with Marlowe besting both Mathom and Stephan (much to Stephan’s delight) and winning a [[Items#[Conjurer’s Canopy](https //dnd2024.wikidot.com/magic-item conjurer-s-canopy)|Conjurer’s Canopy]].
McKeag and Korwin competed over water against Elder Starlight and Armsbreaker, with Korwin besting both Armsbreaker and McKeag and winning a [[Items#[Cloak of Billowing](https //dnd2024.wikidot.com/magic-item cloak-of-billowing)|Cloak of Billowing]].
Ricky and Lavender also competed among the children, and Lavender won with a greatsword boffer.
Another break and a detour to the Places > The Bathhouse where the party took a short rest and got ready to take The Chairlifts over the chairdiving spot.
Lincoln won the competition (with a pair of nat twenties!), and earned a [[Items#[Lucky Foot](https //dnd2024.wikidot.com/magic-item lucky-foot)|Lucky Foot]].
Peepop also jumped, to attack the river. He was okay!
Then, the Party met the Littlefoots to drop off Korwin’s siblings, and made their way to Echo Rock for the closing ceremony.
Sorna Irondome, the Mayor, spoke about the purpose of the Lock Unlocking Festival, publicly recognized the Party, and revealed plans for building a new school near The Downstream Docks.
Then, The Witch made her appearance, and played a song to the rapt attention of everyone watching and… even seemingly the river and its surroundings itself.