It is the 23rd day of Rova, and the sun is slowly rising on the Lost Coast. A small group approaches from the south, following the coastline. A white ox pulls a wooden cart and three figures walk ahead of it. One them is a fat dwarf with red hair and beard who wears a straw hat and simple, but well-maintained, clothes. He gives an excited laugh as the town of Sandpoint becomes visible.
- When 'ye said we could take that shortcut to arrive in time i was worrryin' you'd be takin' us straight to death's mouth, eh? Can't believe me eyes we're not late for the festival! - he says, with a big smile, patting Squeeze Bits on the back. - And you, m'lady, can't believe ye handled those bandits all by yourself, incredible, i say! Ye're not even wearing armor! - he gives Sable a thumbs-up.
The dwarf's name is Nils Silverhand, a merchant from Magnimar who hired Sable and Squeeze's services on the way, he is a clumsy and careless man, but seems to have a good heart.
- I've 'eard there'll be free food and drinks for the day, think we all deserve some good rest, don't we!? - he slaps his belly.
The group notices someone getting closer from behind them, Kalais had been scouting around as usual and, when going back to Sandpoint, she notices a goblin on the road...Oddly enough, the goblin seems to be accompanied by a dwarf and a woman who both don't seem to mind his presence.
---
Viridi wakes up early, Sandpoint is already up and very alive, judging by the noise outside. As she walks into the meditation floor, she catches sight of Sabyl Sorn, her mother, walking left and right, reciting some mantra in a low voice; that was usually Sabyl's behavior when worrying about something.
- Good morning. - she waves, distracted.
---
The Rusty Dragon Inn is Sandpoint's oldest Inn, as well as one of the most popular buildings in the city, thanks to is exotic food and the fact that most newcomers stumble into it when coming from south.
Although the sun is barely rising, The Rusty Dragon Inn is already bubbling with excitement; the guests were told last night that breakfast would be served earlier than usual since the Inn had to prepare food for the Swallowtail Festival. When Ansgar and Garbund descend from their rooms, they see a couple of travelers eating and talking about the festival.
A half-orc comes into the common room from above.
Although his orc features are slight, his face and hands are adorned with geometric tattoos used by many half-orcs for luck.
He comes down quite bleary-eyed.
Clearly unaccustomed to rising so early.
He orders some food and coffee.
Then joins he other travellers.
"Morning…" he says, barely stifling a yawn "… sorry."
"This is very early for me."
"My name's Garbund Diglaga."
"From Magnimar."
"I'm here to research anything I can about the old Thassalonian empire."
… another yawn …
"Oh dear. Pardons. What's this festival all about, then?"
It seems I am up later than usual. I must be more careful to rise before the sun in the future.
As Ansgar enters the common room he heads to get breakfast. Hearing a half-orc asking about the festival, he walks over to the group of travelers and listens in, standing while he eats his food.
A new day...
Viridi arches her back, stretches and yawns as the first rays of sunlight drift in through her window. After a quick prayer to the Master of Masters, she slips into her clothes and walks downstairs into the main meditation hall. There's quite a commotion outside today, and the young healer understands well enough why that is--the Swallowtail Festival was when the small coastal town was the most lively with tourists and locals alike.
Her mother is already seated on one of the meditation mats in the hall, her eyes closed in contemplation and her legs crossed into Irori's Lotus. It was a habit she had when something was on her mind; such a seating position and the many mantras of tranquility were employed to steady the mind against life's anxieties. Viridi takes a seat on a nearby meditation mat and joins in.
After a few minutes of meditation, she finally speaks.
"Mother, are you excited for today?" She asks in a voice filled with eagerness.
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Kalais has never been the best of morning creatures, and the haggard look on her face speaks of a dawn spent chasing shadows rather than the more preferred pastime of chasing dreams. A few days wild in the Hinterlands have marked themselves well with mud stains, sore muscles, and the smallest spot of blood on her sleeve; but nothing worth a mention. Recent theories that Giant incursions might've spread further east were alarming, sure--alarming enough to send an Arrow, apparently--but so far Kalais has had little to show for it. And that, she admits (though she may occasionally chafe at the notion of being sent on a fruitless chase) is absolutely for the best.
Still, with the worst of her trek behind her and a proper road finally beneath her feet, Kalais thinks to pick up the pace, the sooner to put a pint of applejack in her hand, and before too long the vague outline of Sandpoint at last reaches her senses. That, and the loud guffaw of a dwarven man in transit, to which she mentally tallies off a check-list as she passes by; the trait ingrained by years of service to the Magnimar City Guard. One dwarf, burly as ever. A beast of burden, typical as anything. Some manner of goblin. Assorted goods. A human guardian, or at least she assumes as much; surely no commoner wields that much weaponry...?
"Wait, what?"
Still groggy, the scout blinks once. Then again, rubbing her eyes, as if the sight of a Dwarf, a Human, and a Goblin holding something even vaguely resembling a conversation were as completely ludicrous as it sounds. The bow at her shoulder is unslung with a telling speed, ammunition on the cusp of being drawn if not for the Ranger's blatant weariness and confusion at the distinct lack of violence in this transient scene. "Shouldn't be needing to tell you that thing's better dead, right?"
Squeeze scratched his big green head, behind his left ear, and found a small ladybug - that he proceeded to throw at his mouth and start crunching. He smiled to the Dwarf - the Goblin was genuinely happy to have done his "job" well, and trying to pretend he wasn't surprised that the "shortcut" he pointed randomly actually worked.
That's when, finally, he notices the ranger in front of them pointing her bow at him. He kept chewing the bug for much longer than needed - partially because he didn't really understand what was happening. When it finally hit him on the head - well, he still kept just chewing the bug, wondering if he'd also find one behind his right ear. He blinked apathetically, imagining Nils or Sable were the target of the ranger's indagation.
Squeeze hungry... - he said, on a very low volume.
Sable cracked a wide grin at Nils. Though she wasn't about to admit it to the merchant, at the time she hadn't been sure she wasn't biting off more than she could chew with the bandits, but she'd been taught well, and Scathach had smiled on her. Forcing the bandits into retreat had been the high point of the journey.
"Had to earn my pay." Which, while true, there was more to it than that. She'd hurled herself at the bandits with such ferocity because if she hadn't, there was no telling what would become of Nils. Sable knew all too well what outlaws in the rough Varisian hinterlands were capable of, and they'd lay hands on the innocent, well-meaning merchant over her dead body. Gods be blessed, it hadn't come to that.
"Honestly, I don't know how anyone can stand to wear armor – it itches and chafes."
Just then, they were approached by a woman with the look of a huntress about her, and by the time she'd finished saying her piece, Sable's hands were nearing the hilt of a weapon. Rather than draw, though, she pointedly interposed herself between the stranger and her... colleague.
"Hasn't so much as tried anything I'd kill a man for yet. Is everyone this friendly around these parts?"
It would be a stretch to say she trusted Squeeze, but standing by while the goblin was made into an arrow pinchusion for nothing he'd actually done was not how she wanted to start enjoying the festival.
The dwarf brushes off Kalais' comment with a loud laugh.
"Don't ye worry, miss. I think he's som' kinda renegade goblin. 'Been traveling with us for 'bout a week and haven't caused any problems, by the contrary! Don't think i'd be in time for the festival without this fella's shortcuts! Maybie i'd even be attacked by less friendly guys of his kind."
He cleans the sweat of his hand on a piece of scarf before extending it to Kalais.
"Name's Nils Silverhand. I'm a merchant from Magnimar, nice meeting ya, miss."
---
"Indeed i am.", she answers with a soft smile, her voice calm and controlled but her eyes a bit more lively than usual. "I have an old friend from Magnimar visiting, and he is bringing some precious books with him. Although i wonder if he'll make it, knowing how careless he is, specially with how dangerous the roads have been recently..."
---
Some of the patrons give a Garbund a longer inspection than usual, probably looking at his tattoos. A Tian woman, who Garbund and Ansgar recognize as the owner of the Inn, brings a tray of spicy food.
"You really haven't heard of the Festival?", she asks, surprised. "We're celebrating the consecration of our new church. The last one was...lost, due to some...unpleasantness...So today will be a big event, lots of speeches, games, fun and, of course, food; there'll be a big banquet, free of charge, all the taverns are putting foward their best dishes and trying to beat eachother. Of course, those losers have no chance against me.", she has a cocky smile.
"So you're from the City of Monuments, eh?", says one of the patrons, a Garundi man wearing leather armor, "Been there once, couldn't find much business, though; fighting crime there was thankless job, killin' gobs around here is much easier, lucrative and fun. And what is this empire you speak about?"
Speaking to the Tian woman:
"Well, I'll try to do my bit by sampling free food!"
"I'm sure you'll be the champion!"
To the Garundi (mercenary?):
"Never a shortage of criminals to fight in Magnimar, that much is true."
"I'm trying to find information on the long-gone Thassilon empire."
"Fascinating stuff, that."
Viridi leans forward with interest. "Really? I don't think I know his name--who is he?"
A lone brow continues to rise as Kalais listens to the dwarf's curious explanation, narrow eyes glancing over each of the travellers in a silent questioning of character. It naturally doesn't last--it is, for her, entirely too early for this sort of nonsense--and the ranger lowers her bow with a sigh.
"The phrase 'renegade goblin' does not fill me with confidence," she mutters bluntly, before realising Nils has his hand waiting for her own. A quick rub of a dusty palm against her lapel later, she offers the dwarf a worthy handshake, the armed miss a courtesy nod, and the green-skinned midget...Well, for that she's still wielding her bow.
"Kalais Ryndel. Ilsurian-born. You'll find Sandpoint's locals much kinder than I, to be sure," she says, giving Sable a harmless smirk. "Don't know or care what you intend with that nuisance, but keep it leashed, eh? Still plenty willing to pay for a goblin ear or two 'round here, believe me."
That said, Kalais shrugs her pack of gear a little higher on her back, her mood lightening with it. She had almost forgotten the Festival, and had dismissed it from her plans, but right now the thought of free drinks and a proper meal sounds divine. "The 'Coast give you lot much trouble?"
Though nonplussed, the sellsword returned the ranger's nod after a beat of consideration. If the woman didn't want bloodshed – at least, not badly enough to start anything – then Sable wasn't eager to make something of it.
"You heard the lady, Squee. Stay on your best behavior." Which, while better than most goblins, possibly even the highest standard of any goblin Sable had ever met, still wasn't all that great, by human standards of behavior.
"If it hadn't given us a spot of trouble here and there, there wouldn't be work for lasses like me," she chimed in, before glancing at Squeeze. Better give the guide something to do before he wandered off on his own and got into trouble.
"Come on, Squee, let's see about this 'free food and drink.'" Sable could be a little headstrong, but even she didn't think it was a good idea to allow Squeeze to gamble about Sandpoint unsupervised.
She glanced over her should back to the ranger. "If you don't mind his company, you're welcome to join us."
Squeeze gave his hand to Sable and smiled, innocently, while holding hands - if it wasn't for his green ugly features, he'd almost look like a little kid with his mother. Instead, it was closer to a mercenary and her pet fiendish pest.
Free food? Yes, yes, Squeeze behaves! - he yelled, excitedly, while trying to pull her towards the garbage cans.
"Nothin' she couldn't take of.", agrees Nils, "But dangerous enough i couldn't bring me kids, they always wanted to see Sandpoint, maybie when they're older, eh?"
As Sable invites Kalais to joing them, he agrees with his head, still smiling.
---
"He's a dwarf called Nils Silverhand, he helped your granfather build this house, and i received many books in our library from him...He is also more capable of keeping suffering and anxieties away from his mind than many monks i've seen, even without having ever trained, although that comes attached with being vey careless", she smiles, as if remembering something funny from the past. "He wrote me he would be here the night before the festival, so there is a chance he found some trouble on the road."
---
"We have a few places where you could do research here in Sandpoint.", says the Tian woman, "But they're all closed for the festival, so you'll have to wait untill tomorrow."
"Never heard of it.", answers the Garundi, seemingly not interested; he then turns to Ansgar. "What about you, sir? I've noticed you wearing the sword and red wing on your neck; anyone from this parts become your target recently? Hope its not me!", he gives a friendly laugh.
Kalais does not offer a worded reply to the offer, but shows no inclination to decline. The road to Sandpoint proper is but a short way, and their destination ultimately the same. That it gives her means to keep an eye on this newfound...liability...is otherwise excuse enough.
"Magnimar had dangers to spare when last I left it," Kalais deadpans, indicating for Nils and his party to lead on, her rigid stride quickly falling in line to match their own. "But that's true enough of anywhere. 'Least it keeps us good girls employed, eh?" The ranger hums a laugh.
"Must be worth something though, this visit; to risk the travel advice of a goblin," she muses, not bothering to hide her distaste. If Kalais couldn't be nice, she at least strove to be honest. Her Mother had driven that in like a nail. "Guards're gonna have a field day with that one, I swear..."
"I'll be happy to wait, since free food's about!"
Garbund tells the Tian woman.
He also shrugs a bit at the Garundi's lack of interest.
To the Garundi man, "My name is Ansgar. I'm here to see the new cathedral when it's open. While my faith rests in Ragathiel, I have great interest in many other faths."
Ansgar remains silent on the topic of potential targets.
Sable did her best not to recoil and pull her hand out of the goblin's grubby mitts when he reached for her hand, wrinkling her nose when Squeeze made a beeline for the garbage.
"Ugh. They're going to have fresh free food, too, Squee," she explained, but if eating rotten food that could very well make him sick was what his little goblin heart – or goblin stomach – desired, it wasn't worth actively trying to do anything to stop him.
"What is it, exactly, you do?" Sable called back to Kalais over her shoulder, though as soon as she'd said it, she could already hear Kalais' answer. Turning in goblin ears for pay, of course.
Kalais' brow furrows a little at the question, but it doesn't stop her from answering.
"Most days? My job," she says rather unhelpfully, her free hand soothing a knot of muscles at the back of her neck. "Superiors put me here to scout. Stalking none-existent giants doesn't offer much pay. Goblins and the odd delinquent though..." She allows herself to trail off, figuring the rest is self-explanatory.
Viridi nods. "I hope he is as personable as you say, Mother. Would you like me to see if he's in town yet?"
The four cross the bridge known as the Boggy Creek; Sandpoint is very close now, and when looking to the north the group can see the Sandpoint Harbor and Shipyard, sailors seem both busy and excited, catching the last batch of fish to be prepared for the Festival's meals. Some of them wave to the group and Nils waves back.
The Sandpoint Bridge comes soon after, and a pair of bored guards stand watch on the other side. They look distracted, probably upset to be on duty during the Festival, and apparently haven't noticed the group starting to cross the bridge yet.
---
"That would be very helpful, my dear. He should be coming from the south.", she answers. "I'll have some tea ready for when you come back."
---
"I'm Thagbjot.", the Garundi answers. "Well, i'm more a man of Gorum myself, but i'm not really here for the church. I heard they'll be doing some contests, so i think i'll get myself some coin lifting weights and punching faces."
"The Welcoming Speeches are about to start at the town square!", says a man who stops by the Inn's door.
Viridi rises to her feet and bows to Sabyl. "As you wish, Mother."
She starts walking out the door with a smile on her face. She pauses for a moment when she steps outside to take in the sunlight and fresh sea air.
Acceptance is the first step to enlightenment.
With that tenet in her mind, she starts walking to the southern side of town.
"My name is Garbund. Born and raised in Magnimar."
"I learnt some fencing in Magnimar. But not much."
"You needn't worry about me in any show of fighting skills."
"I might have slightly more luck with magic contests, though."
Welcoming Speeches eh, looks like the day is about to begin in earnest
Not wanting to spend the day alone, and hoping for some intelligent company, Ansgar addresses the half-orc.
"Garbund is it? I'm off to the Welcoming Speeches if you'd like to head out now. I would like to hear more of what you know about this Thassilonian Empire, should we get a moment to talk about it."
"Certainly!"
"Superiors... Who do you work for, then, all the way out here?" The Pathfinders, maybe? Kaer Maga had its share, as did Magnimar and Korvosa. What other groups had an interest in the hinterlands of Varisia?
Sable was relieved that so far, Kalais wasn't wrong about the Sandpoint locals being kinder, given they're waving to Nils, rather than reaching for their weapons at the sight of Squeeze. Still, she hoped Kalais wasn't quite so accurate about the guards having a field day with a goblin approaching – Sable prepared for her to be right anyway.
"Hail and well met!" she calls, raising her free hand as they approached the crossing and the guardsmen.
Squeeze keeps walking without a single worry in the world. Maybe he's plain stupid, distracted, or maybe the Goblin life is so short and fragile that he doesn't waste time worrying about dying. Yet, he moves sniffing around, almost like a dog searching for more food.
Kalais doesn't answer Sable immediately, and after a thought responds with a somewhat dismissive "Probably no one you'll know of," thinking the better of starting that conversation with anyone, much less strangers. She does however shoulder her bow again on the approach to Sandpoint proper, frowning a little at the disgruntled and ill-attentive guards posted beside the bridge. Not that she can't sympathise, but public events in her experience typically warranted more vigilance. Not less. Never mind the swaggering goblinoid at their helm.
Still, it's not her job to chide them, and so Kalais merely echoes Sable's sentiments with a single weary wave.
Kalais knew that the Sandpoint Bridge was usually unnatended since trouble almost never came from the south, partially thanks to people like her. And that probably meant those guardind the bridge were not the best men the Sheriff had.
The bridge was fairly wide and sturdy, leaving more than enough space for Nil's ox and cart to pass; a thin and talll wooden pole stood at the end of the bridge, with a curved nail hanging a mirror and a sign that said "Welcome to Sandpoint! Please stop to see yourself as we see you!". Nils takes a second to make funny faces in front of the mirror before proceeding.
The guards wave back to Sable and Kalais and then whisper something to eachother, smiling.
"Welcome to Sandp-...Is that what i think it is!?", says one of them, finally noticing Squeeze.
---
The town was as lively as expected, and as Viridi heads south, people seem to be converging in the opposite direction, walking towards the Cathedral square where the welcoming speeches would soon begin, a few wave at her and she soon sees herself at the Market Street. As she is about to pass the Rusty Dragon Inn, someone exits the building and she is knocked to the ground as they bump into each other. The other person, a tall and muscular Garundi man wearing leather armor, looks down and shakes his head.
"Watch where you're going.", he says, ignoring Viridi and walking towards the cathedral square.
---
As Ansgar and Garbund are about to exit the Rusty Dragon, they see Thagbjot exiting and bumping into a young woman and knocking her to the ground. The garundi simply gives her an angry look and says something before moving on to the square.
Thagbjot is most certanly not worthy of much respect
Walking over to the woman who was knocked over, offering his hand to help her up.
"Are you okay miss?" Ansgar asks of her
"A nasty piece of work, him." Garbund reflects.
He then goes to help Ansgar help the young woman knocked over.
Hearing the Guardsman exclaim, Kalais snorts, barely biting back the sarcasm dancing on her tongue--Why, what does it look like to you? Your mother?--but her face shows the sentiment regardless.
On the one hand, a good Ilsurian cadet would've put four arrows in the greenskin already. On the other, the typical goblin would've run something sharp into Nils and his guardian well before Sandpoint. At least marginally convinced this 'Squee' isn't worth her full concern, but curious to see how the trio attempt to talk themselves out of a small massacre, Kalais opts to remain silent; obviously far more amused than she is perturbed.
Viridi sniffs and shoots an annoyed at the large Garundi's back before letting herself be helped up by two other men. "I am, sir. Thank you."
She brushes dirt off of her leather armour and looks over at the two new men--a half-orc and a priest of some description. "I was on my way to meet a friend of my mother's--may I ask what your names are? Mine's Viridi--Viridi Sorn." She smiles and gives them a little curtsy.
Garbund nods toward Viridi
"I'm Garbund Diglaga. Here from Magnimar."
"I am Ansgar, also of Magnimar."
I wonder if she's a local..
Ansgar continues,"Mrs. Sorn, if it's not too much of an imposition, might I and Garbund here accompany you for the walk? I have a few questions about the cathedral and the surrounding area, and Garbund here will most likely want to pick your brain over the old Thassilonian empire."
"Oh, certainly." Viridi nods and smiles, blinking her slitted golden eyes. "I'll admit I'm not the first one to ask about Thassilon, but I'd be happy to enlighten you about this town."
She starts walking to the southern gates of town once more. "I'm currently on my way to meet a friend of my mother's--a dwarven merchant named Nils Silverhand. He's arriving today." She titters, rubbing a lightly-scaled cheek.
"A fine straw hat? Why, yes, so it is. Nils, it looks as if we've only just arrived and already you have a customer interested in your wares," Sable chirps cheekily.
Squeeze waves friendly to the guards, and this time he speaks himself, directly.
Oh! Yes! Squeeze is Goblin! - he starts with the obvious, but quickly complements - But worry not, longlegs! Squeeze is behaved. Squeeze is famous guide, very talented, civilized!
Squeeze is here in peace, to enjoy festival and find food. And work. And food. Did Squeeze mention food already? - he finishes, now absolutely honest.
The guards trade confused looks.
"So...You're some kind of...Mascot?
"This little guy helped me 'long the way, he really be a good guide.", says Nils.
The guards still hesitate.
"Sir, its just that, today is a very important day, Sheriff Hemlock wants things to run as smoothly as possible...If something happens because of this gob..."
"Don' worry, i can pay if he breaks somethin'!"
The guards trade looks again.
"...Well, there is no law forbidding goblins, i guess...Welcome to Sandpoint then, try to...Stay out of trouble..."
"Such nice people!", says Nils, after the four pass the guards. "If you three need a place to stay i know some of the Inns from 'round here."
---
The three pass the Goblin Squash Stables and can already see a small group at the bridge, talking to the guards. One of them is a fat dwarf with red hair, beard, and a big smile. Behind them an ox pulls a wooden cart.
"That's a bit odd isn't it?"
"A goblin accompanying a dwarf?"
"Yes, more than a bit odd" Ansgar replies,
"Is this the dwarf you are looking for Miss Sorn? If so then we can part ways if you would rather I not intrude" Ansgar says to Viridi
I'd rater stick around a bit though to watch this goblin
As the four of them pass the bridge, Kalais makes a point of grabbing one of the guards by the shoulder and muttering a quick, "Just tell the Sheriff he owes me one, eh?" Wasn't like she had much better to do in her schedule anyway, save sip a pint of cider and scrub off the forest from her person; and at least one of those she could do in company, so why not multitask?
"Kid's Taldane is pretty good. Though civilised might be pushing it," Kalais muses, nonetheless pleasantly surprised. Curiosity and necessity had forced the ranger to learn the Goblin language, but she preferred not to tolerate it wherever she could. Still; Squeeze's suggestion of food wasn't a bad one, and Kalais' eyes scan onwards, ready to suggest a place or two, when instead she meets the stare of two pairs of eyes further ahead.
"An audience already," she drones. "Popular little bastard."
"...er..." Viridi appears to be lost for words for a moment. "...I believe so, yes."
Though I certainly didn't expect him to have such a strange crew with him... then again, I suppose I'm not one to talk.
"Excuse me, Mr. Silverhand?" She waves at the dwarf, trying to get his attention.
As the guards say their words and leave the goblin be, Squeeze smiles sincerely and turns around, when he notices that Kalais is looking at more people - that just happen to be looking at them. Squeeze waves his hand friendly.
Yes! Good goblin here, great guide! Famous! Not very expensive services, either! - he happily yells towards the half-Orc, the human and the... exotic humanoid? With scales?
"Well, this is … interesting!"
"Aye, thats me!", the dwarf waves back. "Do i know you, miss?", he puts a hand on his chin, trying to remember.
"You'd think it'd be hard to forget anyone in a group like this!"
Garbund reflects, as he scratches his chin.
Kalais remains mute as the greetings go, her mind lingering on a distinct impression that the redhead had crossed her sight at least once or twice--as locals are want to do--and the unnerving itch in her teeth that comes as a result.
Must be the eyes, she figures after a beat. That slitted, reptilian sort held by lizards, snakes, and...apparently whatever this miss figured to be?
Iomedae have mercy. Where was that applejack when she needed it?
"O-oh, I don't believe you would, sir." Viridi stutters a bit when she notices the (apparently intelligent and civilized) goblin touting his services as a guide. "My mother spoke well of you. A Sabyl Sorn of the House of Blue Stones?"
She notices the scout's eyes on her and feels her face begin to blush. Oh, dear... now I've got people staring at me. "M-my name's Viridi--Viridi Sorn."
"Ah! Viridi! I haven's seen you since you were smaller than this guy here!", he points to Squeeze. "You've grown into a beatiful young lady! How's your mom doing?"