Seeing that the paint was in good hands and that tables were mysteriously appearing at the appointed places, wafted into place by ghostly hands, Hadama joined Remi in drumming up interest. People tended to listen to Kings, and he shamelessly used his position to full advantage. As the crabs continued their inexorably march to the sea the Tidebreaker informed those grumbling at the difficulty in crossing the main avenue that a winning bet could gain them a three day, two night stay in the palace of the Underwater City during Longheat. There would be several winners chosen from among the painted crabs, one for each station that the other half of their team was setting up. And for the runners up? Well, second place would receive a drink ticket at the Hanged Man, paid for by Hadama himself.
Between the celebrity status of a former and current ruler, Remi and Hadama between them managed to turn the tide of public sentiment from frustrated grumbles to reluctant - or even enthusiastic - interest, and the more people who flocked to the tables the more people heard about the migration and the contest now underway. The migration was taking on the air of an impromptu festival, and the colorful paints provided by Nova only helped to reinforce the ambience. The tables that Melita had sourced were soon mobbed with eager gamblers, each vying to reach over the barriers and pluck up a crab to paint with a dash of color and their name before setting it back on its way.
There were quite a few very confused crabs now sporting a dizzying rainbow of colors among the pale blue shells of their brethren, and with the professional bookies now firmly ensconced at the tables to track additional betting and ensure the odds, Hadama looked around for his original volunteers.
"Thank you," he intoned, inclining his head to each of them with a sparkle in his emerald eyes. "There is only one task left. Someone trustworthy must go to the beach and judge the winners. I will arrange for drinks and food for us."
Drinks, snacks, and comfortable chairs, as it turned out. Hopefully not too difficult a way to end their day of public service!
Round 4: Final round - Crab race judging!
Find a good spot on the beach, climb into a tall chair to avoid getting swarmed, and pick out the winning crabs as they cross out of the city and onto the sand! The gamblers of Torchline are counting on your keen eyes and whether or not you'll accept bribes to determine the winners!
Between the celebrity status of a former and current ruler, Remi and Hadama between them managed to turn the tide of public sentiment from frustrated grumbles to reluctant - or even enthusiastic - interest, and the more people who flocked to the tables the more people heard about the migration and the contest now underway. The migration was taking on the air of an impromptu festival, and the colorful paints provided by Nova only helped to reinforce the ambience. The tables that Melita had sourced were soon mobbed with eager gamblers, each vying to reach over the barriers and pluck up a crab to paint with a dash of color and their name before setting it back on its way.
There were quite a few very confused crabs now sporting a dizzying rainbow of colors among the pale blue shells of their brethren, and with the professional bookies now firmly ensconced at the tables to track additional betting and ensure the odds, Hadama looked around for his original volunteers.
"Thank you," he intoned, inclining his head to each of them with a sparkle in his emerald eyes. "There is only one task left. Someone trustworthy must go to the beach and judge the winners. I will arrange for drinks and food for us."
Drinks, snacks, and comfortable chairs, as it turned out. Hopefully not too difficult a way to end their day of public service!
Round 4: Final round - Crab race judging!
Find a good spot on the beach, climb into a tall chair to avoid getting swarmed, and pick out the winning crabs as they cross out of the city and onto the sand! The gamblers of Torchline are counting on your keen eyes and whether or not you'll accept bribes to determine the winners!
