Tis the day before The Great Green Feast of Paddydom.
All are scurrying to and fro to get ready for tomorrow.
The snow has finally stopped and all is white, the wind blows on occasion to remind us that it is still winter. Spring is only days away by the celestial calendar.

Melchior is on his way back to Castle Catalano, hoping to find his blond haired wench.
The ale casks are being loaded, the mead is being prepared, and something called soder bread is being delivered by the cartload.

The Great Wells are being pumped; the Ice Caverns are being inspected, for all must be perfect for the Feast of Paddydom.

The Great Gumbas favorite part of the Feast are the Pipes, when they start playing, a part of the Gumbas heritage is kindled, all be it a small part. He remembers the pipes playing as he led men into battle, the piper atop a hill, playing and playing, spurring on the men to fight and conquer.
There is something about the pipes that stirs a warriors soul, something unexplainable, something magical.

Then there is the warrior funeral, a great fire, atop which sits a warriors wrapped body.
A mighty scaffold of wood and a blazing fire.
On a hill, far away stands a piper, playing, to help send the warrior to the afterlife.
Not a soul left unstirred.

A celebration of spring, a celebration of life, a celebration of friends, The Great Green Feast of Paddydom.

To all who shall be in attendance?
There are good ships, and there are wood ships, the ships that sail the sea.
But the best ships are friendships, and may they always be.

So Sayeth the Great White Sage of the Great Northron Region

The Bar Maid had ancient writing tattooed upon her chest and arms, a cotton gauze shirt covered most, but not all. She new how to get tips from the men. She poured a fair measure ale and was attentive to the bar wenches, which kept all who sat, with flagons full, of ale and honey mead.

The Great Gumba and his Bard Kerry entered first, with Catherine of Khatadin and Melchior right behind. The great Mid Wife was already there and summoned them to her table.
The women all stopped and stared as Melchior went passed them, this puzzles the Gumba greatly, but it is, what it is.
The Bar wenches all flocked to serve Melchior, but only the fairest would he pick?
For that is how Melchior liked it, surrounded by beautiful women all the time.

Kerry the Bard and Catherine of Khatadin ordered first, ALE, in your largest flagon, drawn from the depths of the ice caves, they requested, Aye I too would like a flagon shouted the Great Gumba. With steely eyes the bar wench looked around until her eyes met with Melchiors, and she practically swooned into his lap.
A wisp of a lass she was, 5 ft, 100lbs soaking wet, with long blonde hair, Melchior of course was smitten, as always!
She went to fetch the ale as Melchior spoke; now we must drink and above all have fun, for we are preparing for the Great Green Feast of Paddydom. The wench returned with the flagons of ale, frost on the flagons and ice crystals floating within, with a flagon hoisted high, Melchior proclaimed, To all in attendance tonight, we start the week long celebration of Paddydom, only to culminate on the day of the Great Green Feast.
Long life and prosperity to all who claim to be friends of the Gumba and his Bard.

Huzzah, shouted the crowd, Long life and prosperity.

The consumption began, the fire pits were lit, and meat was soon to be cooked.

All was well at the Great Wells of the Works of Water, the ale flowed, the wenches danced, and Melchior………………………….?

It was the week before the Great Green Feast of Paddydom.
Many where preparing for the great day, for it was a day of embidement.
A day when many barrels of ale and mead were consumed.
So one must prepare for the Feast of Paddydom.
And who better to prepare the Great Gumba for such a day than Melchior the carpenter.

Melchior was kin to Kerry the Bard and the Great Catherine of Khatadin.
He was a favorite with the ladies, why, the Great Gumba really does not know.
With flaxen hair and eyes that melt womens hearts, sculpted abdominal muscles and a lean physic, he truly was a picture of the gods.

Melchior is a carpenter, not just any carpenter but a joiner, one who builds without fasteners, for his wit is so sharp that it alone holds together the wood to which he speaks.
He has built many structure, mostly feasting kitchens, great marble and granite feasting kitchens, fit for an immortal.

Melchior arrived at Castle Catalano just as the sun began to set, astride his mighty black beast. Snorting fire and smoke, making noises unheard of in this realm, the beast came to rest just outside the castle.
Maya and Baloo went to greet Melchior, for they liked him, he was, after all, kin.
After the usual pleasantries and unloading of the great black beast, Melchior proclaimed,
It is time to go and prepare for the Great Green Feast of Paddydom, let us go and consume ALE.

So, off went the Great Gumba and Kerry the Bard along with Catherine of Khatadin to the Wells of the Works of Water, a grand establishment, built just for the embidement of ale.

Great wooden panels and columns of oak adorn the venue of the bar. Large pipes bring the ale and mead to and from the casks through the ice caves to the taps, where the bar wenches, with heaving bosoms, pour all the ale and mead that is fit to drink and some that is not.
The pickpockets and buffoons are out this evening, as well as the ladies of the night, all are welcome, as long as no one starts a fight.

To Melchior and the Gumba, his lovely Bard and Catherine of Kathadin all is well,
The evening shall continue and so shall the story.

Huzzah.