Battle of the bards

As we arrived at the central stage, we were greeted by Mazrif, the half-elven organizer of the contest. He proceed to explain the rules, which were fairly simple. With four bands competing, ourselves included, the tournament would follow a straightforward bracket system. Two bands would face off, with the winner being decided by the crowd’s reaction. The two victors would then compete in the semifinals, with the final champion earning the right to challenge Mazrif himself. Where they could earn not only the prestige of winning but also for the honour of having one of their instruments enchanted by Mazrif himself.
 
Now, as for our opponents. First up, in our opening round, we were pitted against the Brass Quartet. A group of dwarves who, as the name implies, wielded a range of brass instruments, thus crafting a thunderous and bold melody. And while their style wasn’t exactly my cup of tea, I had to admit they were most talented.
 
A band more aligned with my taste was Fiendish Grace — an all-Tiefling ensemble specializing in bright, energetic melodies played on their flutes. They were so good, in fact, that I mentally noted to suggest them to Allistan for the birthday party he was planning for his sister.
 
However, if I had to pick the most captivating group among us, it would have to be the Dead Divas. Their dark, melancholic style wasn’t just a performance, it was an experience. They knew how to grip the audience with haunting melodies and an irresistible aura. It was thus no surprise that, after a close and intense match, they narrowly defeated Fiendish Grace in the first round.
 
Our own battle against the Brass Quartet was a tight one to be sure. It grew especially tense when one of the dwarves attempted to trip up Allistan mid-performance. But thanks to his seamless collaboration with his sister, as well as Dynia’s enchanting flute work, we managed to overcome their tricks and securing the win.
 
That victory pushed us into the semifinals against the Dead Divas. Which was even more of a challange. As facing their music directly, it was almost hypnotic. Causing us, for a moment, to almost lose our grip. But thanks to Liliana’s masterful violin skills, the spell was broken. Allowing us to regain not just our momentum, but also turn the crowd back to our side. Claiming us another hard-fought win.
 
Fueled by this rather unexpected success, if I am completely honest, we were eager to face Mazrif in the finale. But just as we stepped off the stage, Hayley and Luke rushed toward us with most troubling news. For far fouler forces were at work that night.
 
During our performance, they had noticed a large group of rough-looking strangers blending into the crowd. Trusting her instincts, Hayley had kept a close eye on them. Which paid off, as during the last round, the strangers had slipped away from the square and made their way towards the keep.
 
Alarmed, we immediately prepared to pursue them. But Hayley, ever level-headed, reminded us that this could easily be a distraction meant to pull us away from the festival. Thus leaving the gathered crowd vulnerable. So after a brief and tense discussion, we decided that Hayley and Allistan would stay behind to protect the people, while the rest of us hurried after the intruders.
 
As we neared the keep, the sounds of battle already echoed through the night. The guards that had remained behind were making a brave stand, but two of our own, Dwight and Kelvin, had already fallen.
 
We rushed to reinforce our allies. But sadly, we were not the only ones with that idea. A point that Liliana quickly learned when a hidden assailant struck an arrow into her back. Only narrowly missing her neck. Startled, Luke and I spun around to help her, only to be cut off by a drow mage who summoned a swarm of giant spiders in our path.
 
The fight was a brutal one. They had caught us off guard and held the initiative. But with the combined might of both our remaining guards, Liliana's relentless counterattack and Luke's fierce spells, we slowly began to turn the tide. Culminating in a well-placed fireball from Luke that sent the bandits scattering. Giving us the chance to overwhelm the mage.
 
That left only the assassin. Who, seeing the battle was lost, wisely decided to disappear into the forest.
 
Taking but the briefest moment to catch our breaths, we send word to Allistan and Hayley. Though while waiting for them to reinforce us would be the sensible thing to do, Liliana and Luke were still fuming. And without their calmer siblings to temper them, refused to stand by doing nothing. Using Luke’s magic to follow the assassin’s trail, they charged ahead. I tried to reason with them, but the fire in their hearts could not be quenched by mere words. Thus with little alternative, I decided to join them. After all, I could never forgive myself if, in their weakened state, the worst were to happen.
 
The trail led us to the old water mill just outside the district. Where it seemed that the assassin had found a way to cross the river, but we sadly didn’t have much time to investigate further. As we were ambushed once again, this time by a fire elemental.
 
Luckily, Luke quickly identified it as the result of a summoning spell and banished it back to its realm it came from before it could do any real damage. The attack, however, served an unexpected purpose in snapping both Liliana and Luke back to reality. Realizing the danger of pressing forward alone, they finally agreed to return to the others.
 
Once we regrouped, we discussed our next move. With few options available to us, Hayley sent out her familiar Fiachna, to track the bandits. Allowing her, Allistan, and Dadroz to pursue them at dawn. The rest of us would remain in the district. Just in case this was indeed all a massive diversion.
 
With the immediate danger behind us, we turned our attention once more to the band contest. Which Mazrif had graciously delayed so we wouldn’t miss the final round.
 
Standing on the stage once more, we bowed to the crowd, and awaited for Mazrif to signal the start. And the moment he did, we immediately realized that we were in trouble. For Mazrif was leagues above any performer we’d faced so far.
 
Still, we refused to just give up after all this. Leaning into the combination of Allistan’s natural charm, Dynia’s grace and elegance, and a rather spectacular pyrotechnic trick by Liliana where she actually set her violin ablaze mid-performance, we attempted once more to sway the crowd.
 
Just when it seemed like we might pull ahead, Mazrif stunned all of us by tossing aside his cloak, revealing two additional arms. Seeing him Masterfully wield three instruments at once, it felt like our defeat was sealed.
That is, until Liliana revealed her masterstroke.
 
Throughout the contest, she had subtly woven the same rhythmic motif into every round, gradually building anticipation. Each time, she led the crowd to a peak of excitement, only to let it softly fade away. Like an unresolved chord.
But not this time.
 
For at the climactic moment, Liliana hit a soaring high note. Which launched her into a dazzling solo that caught not only the audience off guard, but even Mazrif himself. The reaction was immediate. The crowd roared with excitement, and unless my ears deceived me, I swear I heard Mazrif falter for just a split second.
 
That moment sealed our victory.
 
So it was only natural that when Mazrif presented us the grand prize, the enchantment of one instrument, we all knew there was only one rightful recipient. And though Liliana humbly tried to pass the honour onto her brother, we insisted that she accept it. For she had truly earned it.
 
And with that nerve-wracking contest behind us, all that was left was to celebrate and enjoy the rest of the evening. Before returning once more to serious business.