I hate this server. Ate my entire huge post ...
... carry on, will repost later.
Thanadros finishes his meal as he listens to the mayor speak, nodding in agreement and puts his head down at the moment of silence. The Salmon was good, he couldn't remember the last time he ate. But that was not true, Thanadros could remember the last time he ate, and that knowledge shook him. Far easier to pretend that he couldn't remember that he hasn't eaten in months then dewell on how...
"Uh yeah, that's good fish." Gornak puts on a show of enjoying the salmon, even though he'd rather be chewing on a roasted pig's leg.
"Why thank you!" Aylmora gives Gornak a friendly smile in response his compliment. "It's one of our house specialties at the Rusty Dragon. If you like that, you should come by sometime and try some of Ameiko's other recipes."
“Friends! Countrymen! Lend me your ears, for I have much to tell you of great and portentous events!” I flamboyant man has taken the stage, and many can recognise Cyrdak Drokkus, the owner of the Sandpoint Theatre, a cultural feature of which the townspeople are justifiably proud.
“Indeed, you may all recall how dourly our chances seemed to be at first when the cathedral was first suggested, and how unlikely it seemed that we would raise the ready cash for such an enterprise,” he continues, and launches into a long tale of the setbacks and triumphs, benefactors and detractors the raising of the cash underwent.
“… but at last, we are here,” he finishes with a flourishing gesture. “I do not think any doubt now the wisdom of choosing to build in immortal stone over perishable wood, or the strength of sharing our place of worship between many gods.”
There is enthusiastic applause.
“And lastly I will add that the new production of ‘The Harpy Queen’ opens tonight at the theatre,” Cyrdak Drokkus adds, unable to resist the plug. “For those who do not know, the part of the Harpy Queen is played by Aleshandra herself, and should make for an unforgettable performance!”
More applause as a wagon is wheeled into the square, covered in cloth with several acolytes on it. A middle-aged man climbs onto the rostrum, one that needs no introductions for most: Father Abstalar Zantus, the High Priest of Desna.
“My friends, let us remember, on this first day of the autumn, that our divine patron Desna once was stricken and fell to earth. Here she was found and nurtured not by her fellow gods, or by a great hero, or even a nobleman or commoner. It was a blind youth that found her, and nursed her to health, giving up all he had for the life of a stranger he did not know. Lest his lesson of altruism ever be forgotten, Holy Desna rewarded him, transforming him into the first and most beautiful swallowtail butterfly.”
The priest makes a gesture, and the covers on the wagon are pulled back to release a great cloud of the swallowtail butterflies in a riot of colour to the mixed “oooohs!” and “Ahhhhs!” of the crowd.
“Let the festivities begin!” the priest declares.
The consecration will take place at sundown, in several hours, what are people planning to do until then? Feel free to RP through it as you wish!
Gornak will wander around, play some of the carnival games, and keep an eye out for any drunken rowdies (as he promised the Sheriff he would).
Quar makes his way around, sampling food and drink. More often than not he expresses his disappointment in the lack of skill and creativity, but the occasional exceptional dish will draw out a small compliment.
Seeing the crowd disperse once the announcements were complete, Albrecht would approach the Father to see if there were any additional events he might need help with before the consecration this evening.
Aylmora helps Ameiko and Bethana serve food and drink to the crowd for most of the afternoon. Shortly before dusk, when all of their wares are gone, the three women take down their booth and pack everything up into their cart. They push their cart into an out-of-the-way spot, and then mill about in the crowd, enjoying the festivities. As directed by her Aunt Niska, Aylmora makes sure to surreptitiously keep an eye on Gornak and his companions.
Dotting the thread.
Lejes began this day like any other...rising with the first hint of dawn to bathe before seeing to the Shrine of Gozreh. The morning was spent sweeping the shrine, preparing the altar and in silent prayer to the Lord of Wind and Waves. Of course, today was a holy day for Desna...but Lejes would never begrudge anyone their celebrations. His ministrations finished, Lejes took a final walkthrough about the shrine, checking for dust and making certain it was prepared for the many feet that would trod within after the final reconsecration of the Cathdral.
"Everything seems in order. Heh...but then, how good at decorating can they expect a blind man to be?"
Pausing a moment....Lejes sniffs the air appreciatively....
"And that melange of enticing aromas means its nearly time for lunch!"
Smirking to himself, Lejes dons his tunic, ties strips of white linen into his hair to praise Gozreh and then fetches his walking stick, his thickly calloused feet bare for the holiday. Once ready, Lejes heads out into the festival. Almost immediately, his nose leads him to the delectable smelling salmon from the Rusty Dragon. Holding his hands out for a plate, Lejes bows his head with a smirk towards Aylmora.
"Mistress Mvashti, I am not certain what smells more delicious today...the food or your perfume. I trust you are enjoying the festival so far?"
Lejes tilts his head to listen to the speech from Master Drokkus, nodding to himself a bit. His expression turns more serious when Father Zantus takes the rostrum and beings speaking. Lejes then smirks wryly.
"Mistress Mvashti, did you know that Father Zantus once compared me and the boy from the story...I think he had hoped to lead me to Desna in those days." Lejes spreads his hands innocently and grins.."Though just how becoming a butterfly is a great blessing, I fail to understand. Thats not to say that a Goddess such as Desna, in her no doubt infinite wisdom, would not know better than a mere mortal such as myself. I can't imagine nectar alone makes for a decent diet though, I would certainly miss such delicacies as this salmon...its is incredibly tasty, by the way...did you perchance make it, Aylmora?"
After finishing the delicious salmon...Lejes gingerly accepts a goblet of mead and begins drinking heartily. After downing one cup and having it refilled, Lejes starts to gravitate towards a quieter spot amongst the festivities, just to find a place to sit and listen to the sounds of all the folk of Sandpoint enjoying the festival.
"Festivals are such blissful affairs. And many a more in the years to come Sandpoint!" Lejes says, toasting the town and the Swallowtail Festival itself.
Lejes grins at Hector's comment.
"No doubt. This town is a 'sight' better than anywhere else I've lived as well. Your voice is familiar...you've helped out at the Cathedral a time or two, haven't you? Forgive me if I don't recall your name. I take it you haven't frequented the shrine of Gozreh."
Lejes extends his hand after nestling his walking stick in the crook of his other arm.
"My name is Lejes. I follow Gozreh, if that means anything, really. And you?"
He wiggles his bare toes a bit to dislodge some dirt that has caked them.
Lejes nods at Hector.
"Its certainly better than being idle, yes? And Sarenrae is a good goddess, the Sun is an integral part of life...something far too many people take for granted. That is one facet of Gozreh that I truly appreciate...Gozreh doesn't judge the other gods and goddesses...They simply are."
Grinning Lejes says...
"I hope you don't mind a bit of unsolicited advice but...there is nothing greater you can do in any faith than to always appreciate the small things that come to you. While most misfortune is more the doings of folk like you and I....just live, I say, and appreciate the time you have. Ah...but enough pontificating. How is the festival? From the cooing earlier, I assume something pretty happened. Do tell."
Lejes heads out into the festival. Almost immediately, his nose leads him to the delectable smelling salmon from the Rusty Dragon. Holding his hands out for a plate, Lejes bows his head with a smirk towards Aylmora.
"Mistress Mvashti, I am not certain what smells more delicious today...the food or your perfume. I trust you are enjoying the festival so far?"
Aylmora smiles at the nearly blind half-elf priest as she carefully hands him a plate and flagon. ”Ah, you're such a flatterer, Father Lejes!” Aylmora responds. ”Yes, we’re enjoying the festival. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many people at one gathering before! But then everyone is so excited to have the cathedral finally finished. I’m looking forward to seeing Gozreh’s shrine.”
"Mistress Mvashti, did you know that Father Zantus once compared me and the boy from the story...I think he had hoped to lead me to Desna in those days." Lejes spreads his hands innocently and grins."Though just how becoming a butterfly is a great blessing, I fail to understand. That’s not to say that a Goddess such as Desna, in her no doubt infinite wisdom, would not know better than a mere mortal such as myself. I can't imagine nectar alone makes for a decent diet though, I would certainly miss such delicacies as this salmon...it is incredibly tasty, by the way...did you perchance make it, Aylmora?"
Aylmora laughs good-naturedly at Lejes question. ”Goodness no, Father Lejes! Why, if Ameiko let me do the cooking, the Rusty Dragon would soon be without patrons! No, Lady Ameiko is the master chef. I’m just happy to do what I can to help her out at the Dragon, when I’m not seeing to Aunt Niska’s. Now here, take another serving while you can. It wouldn’t surprise me if we ran out of food before the end of the festivities!”
”Goodness no, Father Lejes! Why, if Ameiko let me do the cooking, the Rusty Dragon would soon be without patrons!”
Oh, you modest! Thanadros laughs with a toothy smile as he trusts the mug back into Aylmora's hands. More drink please!
Once Thanadros has had a swig of his renewed mead, he asks to those aound him, What this Harpy Queen man talk about? Harpy warding ritual?
Thanadros will see the "Harpy Queen production." If there is time around that he will mill about sampling food and drink and enjoying the festival.
”Goodness no, Father Lejes! Why, if Ameiko let me do the cooking, the Rusty Dragon would soon be without patrons!”Oh, you modest! Thanadros laughs with a toothy smile as he trusts the mug back into Aylmora's hands. More drink please!
"Here you go!" Aylmora hands the Shoanti another full flagon of winterdrop mead. "At this rate we're liable to run out soon. But if you come by the Rusty Dragon this evening after the festival, we'll be tapping some more casks. We're on the south side of town, on Market Street. Look for the inn with the rusty iron dragon on the roof. Just ask Gornak," she motions toward the towering half-giant, "I'm sure he can help you find us."
The performance is not until after sundown this evening, so plenty of time between now and then.
Then Thanadros will be enjoying the festival, probably hanging around with his new friends.
Gesturing over towards Thanadros...
"Hector, who is the somewhat gruff fellow? He doesn't seem to be from around here. Speaking of which though, were you planning on attending the Harpy Queen? I'm undecided thus far...such plays are often too loud for me, especially since I miss the spectacle of it."
Lejes thinks a moment before draining his second mead and standing up.
"I had better get one more of these before the Dragon runs out."
Lejes starts heading over towards the Rusty Dragon's stall.
"One more cup of winterdrop mead if you will Mistress Aylmora!" Lejes says while holding out his cup in Aylmora's general direction. He then nods vaguely towards Thanadros...
"Greetings to you, stranger. You don't sound as though you are from around here. I am Lejes, of the Shrine of Gozreh in the Sandpoint Cathedral."
After playing ring toss and coconut shy (being careful not to smash the coconut with too hard a throw), Gornak starts to get antsy. He feels out of place, towering head and shoulders above the crowd. He'd be much more comfortable back at the junkyard or working on the cathedral.
He finds a quieter part of the fairgrounds and practices some of the meditation that Master Quar taught him, focusing his powers on concentration on his hook, making it supernaturally sharp for a minute or so.
"Greetings to you, stranger. You don't sound as though you are from around here. I am Lejes, of the Shrine of Gozreh in the Sandpoint Cathedral."
Thanadros He says, as he holds out a hand. I from out of town! He says, mimicking hector's description, it was accurate, after all.
Lejes shifts to look towards Thanadros once he speaks and finds his hand without more difficulty than a momentary hesitation.
"Good to meet you Thanadros. I do hope you are finding the festival to your liking. I just wanted to offer my welcome to you. You should find Sandpoint a very friendly place."
His business with Father Zantus complete, Albrecht comes over and rejoins Hector and Thanadros, and then turns to greet the familiar face of Lejes. "Lejes, I am glad that you were able to join us. How goes everything?"
Lejes smiles as he hears Albrecht's voice and nods in his direction.
"Extremely well. I'm still amazed that the Cathedral is actually finished. I had half expected it would never happen...but look at what everyone has accomplished in the last few years, and now the Swallowtail Festival is finally here."
He holds up his goblet and swirls the mead within a bit...
"And what of you Albrecht? I hadn't heard you at all yet today,where have you been? I had actually just been thinking that perhaps we should check on Father Zantus and see if he needs any further assistance before the consecration." Lejes shakes his head ruefully... "If anyone should be taking the time to enjoy all this, its Father Zantus. I haven't heard him since his speech earlier and I'd like to make sure the old codger is enjoying himself and not off cleaning the vestibule or some such. Have any of you seen him?"
The peaceful day wears on. Much drink is drunk and food eaten (Ameiko's salmon wins hands down as the tastiest dish), children get into trouble trying to chase the many butterflies, but no fights break out and there are no accidents (well, serious ones anyway).
The sun sinks toward the western sea, and there is a little chill in the air, the first bite of autumn.
As the day continues, Quar takes a moment to speak with father Zantus, congradulating him on the opening of the cathedral. He also speaks with any known merchants briefly. As the day gets on he sees Gornal off to the side, Studying the young man, Quar watches him focus himself and excersise his powers. Good, after teh food, drink, and festivities, he is still able to use his power effectively. One never knows when he will eb called upon, but at that time he must be able to act. Perhaps he big lumonx is ready to learn more.
Good to meet you
Thanadros continues enjoying the festival, taking more liking in the simple things it has to offer, such as watching the butterflies, eating, drinking, and talking.
"Oddly enough, I was doing exactly that; I was seeing if Father Zantus had needed any assistance with any further events for the day, other than the consecration. He did not require any additional assistance, so I am sure that he is enjoying himself as much he knows how to."
Lejes laughs ruefully at Albrecht and Hector's statement about Father Zantus.
"You'd think a Priest of Desna would know how to enjoy himself a bit more, wouldn't you? I think thats one of chief reasons I never found conversion to Desna's faith a very appealing one. Father Zantus may know her teachings and tenets backwards and forwards...but he has a hard time lightening up."
"One more cup of winterdrop mead if you will Mistress Aylmora!" Lejes says while holding out his cup in Aylmora's general direction. He then nods vaguely towards Thanadros...
"I'll have a mead too, if you please," he requests of Aylmora.
Aylmora smiles as she hands the men their mead. "By Desna's wings! You fellows are going to drink us dry. I'll have to warn Ameiko to tap extra casks if you come to the 'Dragon!"
"Now where did Gornak get to?" she asks, scanning the crowd. "We've got one last plate of salmon left, and I was saving it for him since he seemed to like it so much..."
As the sun touches the horizon, Father Zantus again climbs onto the podium, discussing some matter with the other priests. The crowd begans to trail in from the various corners of the square, and a general hubub begins to rise in anticipation.
Warmly smiling at the conversation between the three (ex-)construction workers, Albrecht looks up as the subject of their conversation takes to the stage and he turns to hear what is about to be said.
Hearing the hubbub start to rise, Gornak shakes himself out of his meditation and moves towards the platform to hear the priest's speech. Hopefully it won't be a boring sermon.
Thanadros chugs the rest of his drink, and then waits to here the announcement.
Father Zantus raises a small object and tosses it onto the stage to get everyone's attention - a thunderstone.
A sharp retort, like the crack of distant thunder, slices through the excited crowd as the sun’s setting rays paint the western sky. A stray dog that has crawled under a nearby wagon to sleep starts awake, and the buzz of two dozen conversations quickly hushes as all heads turn toward the central podium, where a beaming Father Zantus has taken the stage. He clears his throat, takes a breath to speak, and suddenly a woman’s scream slices through the air. A few moments later, another scream rises, then another. Beyond them, a sudden surge of strange new voices rises—high-pitched, tittering shrieks that sound not quite human. The crowd parts and something low to the ground races by, giggling with disturbing glee as the stray dog gives a pained yelp and then collapses with a gurgle, its throat cut open from ear to ear. As blood pools around its head, the raucous sound of a strange song begins, chanted from shrill, scratchy voices.
Scuttling under stalls, leaping over tables, scores of small shapes are rushing into the square. There are screams and chaos all around.
The figures are goblins, armed and dangerous. The screams are not just fear but pain as they single out the softest targets: women and children. You can make out several darting under the wagon in the centre of the square where you saw several children playing hide-and-seek earlier, and now you can hear screams from there ...
Ameiko is in A4. The Wagon is in E3-F3. Place yourselves on this part of the square and declare your perception checks, initiative scores and intended actions. Assume there are other people around, but none of them are armed and they will scatter from you or the goblins. They do block the perceptions of those that fail their checks.
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Hector's head whips around at the sound of screams, and spots the goblins almost immediately. He growls something unintelligible, gives off a cry of "GOBLINS!" and starts to walk over to the attackers, a look of fury on his face.
[ooc] 22 Perception (18 on the dice) and 4 Initiative (1 on the dice). I intend to walk over to the nearest goblin and grab it by the throat.
Do you want to choose an Avatar for Hector? I can then use that image to represent him on the maps.
"Ameiko! The children under the wagon!" Aylmora cries, pointing to the wagon in the center of the square. "The goblins are after the children!"
init:
perception:
Gornak bellows "Get away from here, you goblins! Scat! Shoo!" as he concentrates on forming a shield of force and draws out his large garbage hook, intending to chase the dangerous pests away.
With a mighty roar unheard of from the normally gentle man, Albrecht leaps into action at hearing the cries of the children and he deftly slides underneath the wagon attempting to strike one of the goblins underneath the wagon.
Can I have an Acrobatics check for that power-slide off Albrecht? It's only DC10 but I'll grant a bonus effect if you beat DC15 ;)