A meeting occurs
Is all in readiness?
Yes, my love. Our pawn will expose them, the goblins will do the task we have set for them. a male voice answered.
Hmm, yes, the goblins. You will supervise.
Oh yes. It will pay a great many debts.
It is the start, my lovely A hideous scrapping noise resounded. all those who wronged me...us will pay. In blood and fire.
Yes, my dark mistress
Elsewhere
A cold wind blew over rough terrain, on a great height. A stony hand crossed a glowing sphere, and a deep chuckle resounded. Yes, my pawn, loose yourself onto the world. You only prepare for my coming The chuckle extended into a maniacal laugh. Footsteps receded along with the laughter.
The sphere remained, and the image appeared in it, a yellow eye. fool, a cold voice said. The eye faded.
It is the dawn of a new day, the day of the consecration and opening of the New Cathedral in Sandpoint. The morning has been setting things up, stalls and cokin pits, even bunting on the buildings. Excitment is building, with children laughing and adults talking.
The day is clear and sunny, with nary a cloud in sight.
You are in the village, as it prepares. If you are visiting you have accomodation, if you are local, you have a home.
Past history. A few years ago there was a terrible fire, wich destroyed the prior cathedral, killing the priest at the time and his daughter.
Now with the Swallowtail Festival, held on the Autumnal Equinox, the new work is completed and a fete is to be held on its opening
More precise history.
THE LATE UNPLEASANTNESS
When Jervis Stoot made clear his intentions to build a home on the then-nameless tidal island just north of the Old Light, many worried that he'd break his neck climbing up and down the isle's cliffs. Jervis had already garnered something of a reputation for eccentricity when he began his one-man crusade to carve depictions of birds on every building in town. Stoot never made a carving without securing permission, but his incredible skill at woodcarving made it a given that, ifStoot picked your building as the site ofhis latest project, you seized the opportunity. "Sporting a Stoot" soon grew to be something of a bragging point, and Jervis eventually extended his gift to include ships and carriages. Those who asked or tried to pay him for his skill were rebuffed-Stoat told them, "There ain't no birds in that wood for me t'set free," and went on his way, often wandering the streets for days before noticing a hidden bird in a fence post, lintel, steeple, or doorframe, which he'd then secure permission to "release" with his trusty hatchets and carving knives.
Stoat's excuse for wanting to move onto the isle seemed innocent enough. The place was a haven for local bird life, and his claim of "wantin' ta be with th' birds" seemed to make sense-so much so, in fact, that the guild of carpenters (with whom Stoat had maintained a friendly competition for several years) volunteered to build a staircase, free of charge, along the southern cliff face so that Stoat could come and go from his new home without risking life and limb. For 15 years, Stoat lived on the island. His trips into town grew less and less frequent, making it something of an event when he chose a building to host a new Stoat.
Sandpoint was no stranger to crime, or even to murder. Once or twice in a year, passions flared, robberies went bad, jealousy grew too much to bear, or one too many drinks were drunk, and someone would end up dead. But when bodies began to mount in late 4702 AR, the town initially had no idea how to react. Sandpoint's sheriff at the time was a no-nonsense man named Casp Avertin, a retired city watch officer from Magnimar. Yet even he was ill-prepared for the murderer who came to be known as Chopper. Over the course of one long month, it seemed that every day brought a new victim to light. Each was found in the same terrible state: body bearing deep cuts to the neck and torso, hands and fe et severed and stacked nearby, and the eyes and tongue missing entirely, having been plucked crudely from each head.
Over the course of that terrible month, Chopper claimed 25 victims. His uncanny knack at eluding traps and pursuit quickly wore on the town guard, taking a toll on Sheriff Avertin in particular, who increasingly took to drinking. In any event, Sheriff Avertin himself became Chopper's last victim, slain upon catching the murderer in a narrow lane-known now as Chopper's Alley-as he was mutilating his latest victim. In the battle that followed, Avertin landed a telling blow against the killer. When Belor Hemlock, then merely a town guard, found both bodies (Avertin's and the penultimate victim) several minutes later, he rallied the guards and they were able to follow the killer's bloody trail.
The trail led straight to the stairs of Stoat's Rock. At first, the town guard refused to believe the implications, and fe ared that Chopper had come to claim poor Jervis Stoat as his 26th victim. Yet what the guards found in the modest home atop the isle and in the larger complex of rooms that had been carved into the bedrock below left no room for doubt. Jervis Stoat and Chopper were one and the same, and the eyes and tongues of all25 victims were found upon a horrific altar to a vile demon lord of winged creatures and temptation whose name none dared speak aloud. Stoat himself was found dead at the base of the altar, having plucked his own eyes and tongue loose in a final offering.
The guards collapsed the entrance to the lower chambers, burned Stoat's house, tore down the stairs, and did their best to forget. Stoat himself was burned on the beach in a pyre, his ashes blessed and then scattered in an attempt to stave off an unholy return of his evil spirit. But as fate would have it, the people ofSandpoint would soon have a new tragedy to bear, one that almost eclipsed Chopper's rampage. A month after the murderer was slain, a terrible fire struck Sandpoint. The fire started in the Sandpoint Chapel and spread quickly. As the town rallied to save the church, the inferno expanded, consuming the North Coast Stables, the White Deer Inn, and three homes. In the end, the church burnt to the ground, leaving the town's beloved priest Ezakien Tobyn and his beautiful adopted daughter Nualia dead.
All that remains today of the once-loved Stoat carvings are ragged scars on buildings and figureheads where owners used hatchets to remove what had become a haunting reminder of the wolf in the fold. The homes and businesses ravaged by the fire have been reconstructed, and the Sandpoint Chapel has finally been rebuilt as well. With the consecration of this new cathedral, Sandpoint hopes to finally put the dark times ofthe Late Unpleasantness in the past.
The new Cathedral is dedicated to six gods; Abadar, Desna, Erastil, Gozreh, Sarenrae, and Shelyn.
If you like, you can roleplay breakfast at the rusty dragon, before the main action starts.
Cale'anon wakes up his friend and charge who was sleeping at her desk.... again... and leads he'd downstairs after they both had the chance to make themselves more presentable.
A window bangs open from the Black Dragon room of the Rusty Dragon Inn.
A bleary yet handsome face looks out over Market Street, smiling as he knots his long hair back into a ponytail.
"So, this is Sandpoint huh? Looks a lot nicer in the day." Alekzander muses to himself as he looks at the waking town. He grimaces as his stomach chooses that moment to remind him he didn't eat the previous night.
"Well first things first, a hot meal, then see what this festival is like."
Alek puts on his belt pouches, splashes cold water on his face and heads down the stairs to the common room of the inn, humming to himself.
Anjelica sighed as she prepared for the day... Her bed was still empty aside from herself.... every day she prayed she would awaken from this horrid dream and that her husband and family would still be alive, that it was all a terrible nightmare, but the reality of the day would always come in and strike her in the gut when she woke and saw it was all too true.
She rose and methodically went about her morning routine… wash up, brush teeth, dress, gather bow and quivers, and her backup weapon, a sturdy, serviceable longsword... which she'd rarely had chance to use, nearly always relying on her bow. She ran her fingers over the beautiful inlay work in the bow, all placed there by her husband's skillful hands. She felt, in that moment, a deep connection to Alexander. "Ah, my love... I still miss you... all the platitudes aside, the pain does not much lessen in time. The wounds of your passing are still as raw as ever. I miss you, my dearest." She slung the bow onto her back and headed out.
The path from her home to the Rusty Dragon Inn was short, and she walked it quickly... Few folks were up and out this early, shops were still closed tight with no signs of opening soon... She did pass a couple of early risers. She gave them a smile and exchange a pleasant "Good Morning" with each of them...
Finally, she arrived at the Rusty Dragon and slipped inside. The place was warm and inviting as always... several patrons were there before her and she gave each a greeting and found a seat near the fireplace. She ordered a bowl of oatmeal with whatever fruit was on hand, and a sprig of mint, along with a mug of kaf. A warm and hearty breakfast. When it arrived, she overpaid the server a bit. She watched the room and ate slowly, taking her time with the kaf as well, enjoying the heat sliding down through her and the stimulating effects of the drink to build.
She made mental note of each of the unfamiliar faces in the room as she ate, there were so many here just for the Festival... Her eyes lingered a moment on Alexander, fellow child of the angels, though his ancestry was difficult to fathom. Her face lit with recognition when Cale came downstairs with Nixis. She rose and walked over to them, gave Cale a little hug. "Good to see you, my friend. And you Nixis, as always. Come, sit with me, have some kaf! I have a pitcher, we just need to get you mugs to fill from it."
Waking early, Ruaidhrigh is the first guest downstairs. But he has to be, as part of the deal he had arranged for lodging was to assist with some chores around the Inn. First, he piles some wood in the fireplace then, draw on his innate control of fire, he ignites it with a single concentrated blast. He does the same with the stove in the kitchen, the goes outside to fetch some more wood and restock the readied supply indoors. Tasks done for the moment, he returns to his room to rouse Wolfie.
It hadn't been easy to convince the proprietor to let him keep his wolf in his room with him, but she was as well behaved as any domestic dog. "Get up lazy, it's time for breakfast!" he says, before saddling her and leading her back downstairs to a table near the fire, where she promptly sits down at his feet.
Dakash enters the Rusty Dragon Inn, leaning on his quarterstaff, the wooden walking staff thumping on the floor with each step. He nods at Ameiko's replacement for the morning as he sits down in his customary seat in the corner of the establishment, setting the staff against the wall and leaning against the wall. He knew that his breakfast would be served shortly - he'd been coming to the Rusty Dragon for breakfast several times per week for nearly a decade - so he didn't speak, instead looking around at the assortment of guests at the inn. There are many strange people here today. I'd forgotten about the damned festival.
He smiles at the wolf lying on the floor, and allows his glance to linger on the three friends near the fireplace, all huddled around a pitcher of what in the seven hells is that terrible drink called? The smell is wonderful, but the taste so foul. Still, it seems to make them happy.
A few moments later, a server unceremoniously drops his plate and mug on the table, picking up the handful of coins that Dakash had already left out for her. Dakash plays with his breakfast of beans, eggs, and vegetables, and takes a long drink of cool water from the mug, finally allowing himself to relax.
Zeldana had been up early this day, helping her parents set up a booth for the festival. Even going so far as to set up her own to offer harrow reading. Though before it began her mother and father set her off to grab something to eat. The young varisian half-breed gladly obliged and ran off to the Rusty Dragon.
Many could hear Zeldana before they saw her, in true varisian fashion she wore most of her wealth upon her person in the form of bangles, necklaces, and earrings though she did keep a few coins on hand for simple things. Her kapiena, a long lovely blue and green scarf, wrapped around her waist hung lower on her right than her left, which also had a leather pouch that many locals knew held her cards, and popped beautifully against her red skirt which had a slit up the left side. Her violet top covered her front from neck to waist, saved for a small cut out in which hung a crystal crescent moon, yet the back had one three thin lines that tied the shirt together. The first around her neck, the second just below her shoulder blades, and the final one at her waist, obviously chosen to show off the tattoos upon her back. Her hair was something odd like always, the white side had been braided before being pulled back into a clasped bun while the front of the black side hung in her face as the rest was braided along with the rest of the white hair.
She made her way over to the bar and ordered three breakfasted that she could take back to her parents. Since the place was busy she took a seat at the bar and before to play with her Harrow deck as she waited.
"Good morning, Zel! Why don't you join us by the fire while you wait... we have a fresh pot of kaf if you want to share it." Anjie calls out to her friend.
Looking out over the busy common room with curiosity, Alek moves over to the bar to gain a much needed meal. Being told he would have to wait a while with how busy the room is he asks for a mug of he nice smelling drink all the customers seem to be enjoying.
Looking around the room as he takes sips of the strange drink, trying to decide if he likes it, he notices the vivacious plumekith chatting with her elven friends.
"Hmm, they look like locals, maybe I can ask them?"
Alek strolls over to the fire where the small group is gathered.'
"Excuse me, my name is Alek, I'm new to town and was wondering whether you would tell me about the festival the town is preparing for?"
Alek smiles at the group as he sips the warm brew.
"Hi, Alek... I'm Anjie..This is Cale, and Nixis... pull up a seat and join us, please... The Festival is the annual Swallowtail Festival, but this year it's quite special... there will be a dedication of the new cathedral, along with the release of the swallowtails... it should be quite spectacular... and of course there is the general holiday atmosphere among all the booths and merchants, with bargains to be had by all! Pray tell, where are you from and are you here just for the Festival?"
Zeldana smiled at Anjelica as she gathered up her cards and returned them to their place. She got up and began to make her way to the group, stopping by Dakash's table. "Going to joined us Dakash?" She asked with a grin before she got to the group.
"Good morning Anjelica. Nixis, Cale, and... Alek was it yes?" Zeldana asked as she looked to the new comer. "I am Zeldana Emraeal Luminita Dardlara Anca Nordlara Amaria, you can call me Zel" she told him with a playful wink. "And Anje is correct! The Swallowtail Festival is set to take place today! You must be in great luck to just be passing through today!"
"Ah, yes, well since you gave such a COMPLETE introduction I shall do the same. My name is Alekzander Ingerbalaur and I come from a small village in the Fenwall mountains."
Alek grabs a nearby chair and looks at the others with interest.
"This is my first time at a festival since I was a small child and I hope to absorb some of the atmosphere until the next." Alek gives a sheepish grin. "But no the main reason I came to Sandpoint was because I heard rumors of giants in the surrounding areas and thought I might be able to lend a hand if it came down to it."
"Ah, another giantslayer!" the fiery-haired gnome at the next table says, turning toward the others in his too-large chair. "I too am a slayer of the biggest men, come to this land following rumors. Giants destroyed my village when I was a child. But while we're here, we may as well go the party, right!?" the small man says with a laugh. "I'm Ruaidhrigh, by the way."
She made mental note of each of the unfamiliar faces in the room as she ate, there were so many here just for the Festival... Her eyes lingered a moment on Alexander, fellow child of the angels, though his ancestry was difficult to fathom. Her face lit with recognition when Cale came downstairs with Nixis. She rose and walked over to them, gave Cale a little hug. "Good to see you, my friend. And you Nixis, as always. Come, sit with me, have some kaf! I have a pitcher, we just need to get you mugs to fill from it."
Cale happily hugs his childhood friend "it's so good seeing you since we've been in town,"
Anjelica looks a bit uncomfortable at the mention of giants, twisting slightly in her chair. She speaks very softly "Sounds like at least two of you have reason to hunt giants... if you want to do so, count me in... as I hate them too, Rory."
The morning moves on, and breakfast ends. You all exit the inn, along with the other patrons and much of the staff.
One of the staff locks the inn front door. She says
If you need anything from your rooms, the side door is open, but please be quick as we are making preparations. Make sure you are back tonight. The cook is to prepare something special, and we are breaking out some of the good stuff to drink. First drink is free.
It's about an hour till the main part of the fete starts, so do you
1/help some of the set up. It looks like food and drink needs to be transported, or tents need to be set up.
2/participating in some fun pre activities
3/or something else.
Btw, are any of the locals running/assisting a stall or attraction?
Anji will offer to help transport food and drink to the Festival site.
Alek will look enviously at the pre-fun activities before moving to help out. Can't leave his new friends to do all the work after all.
Dakash will finish his breakfast and help Ameiko and her employees in carting food and drinks out.
Ruaidhrigh isn't much help when it comes to carrying things, but he'll mount up and ride around town watching the pre-festival activities. Maybe participate in something that looks fun, but mostly just watch. Big people are fun to watch.
"Oh thank you, I'll inform my parents." Zeldana said with a grin before she waved to her friends, "See you all around! Please think about stopping by my booth!" she told them smiling, then gathered the breakfasts and headed out to return to her family.
"Sorry it took me so long." Zeldana called out as she came upon her parents. "I ran in to a few of my friends at the Rusty Dragon." She told them as she handed them their food. "Are we ready yet? Or are there more things we need to do?"
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A woman comes down, her hair a tattered mess, she sighs and shambles to the counter, her eyes covered with Violet goggles. she removes the goggles and has a seat. Cale? What's going on, why is it so loud in here, I can't think over all this talking...
She sighs and looks to the other elf, her large eyes glare at him, just as Violet as the goggles. and who is this? she asks, looking to Anjelica.
Cale smiles up at Nixis `ah, Nixis,this is an old childhood friend of mine from the circus we grew up in, hadn't seen her in over a decade and was very surprised to run into her. "
Cale nods "we were more or less raised together in the same circus, her folks were dancers and acrobats while did pyrotechnics and fortune telling, pretending to be wizard's and putting on a show and whatnot"
"We were the closest of friends as children, but we haven't seen each other ... in ... oh, ages, it seems like... much has befallen us both since then, I'm sure. Cale, I'd love to catch up sometime, but now is not that time... look, trays of food are coming out for the Festival and I'm sure they need assistance to get them all delivered... Perhaps later? And Nixis, it's a pleasure to meet you. I know we'll be friends, as Cale does not pick his friends lightly. You must be a good person to be in his circle. I'm sure I'll see you both at the Festival, yes?" And with that, she spins off into the crowd, collecting a couple of trays of food, one piled on the other and heads out the door with them.
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Nixis sighs and rubbes her sore eyes. Well... Perhaps, I have much work to attend to, decifering ancient text and my weekly Divination... Cale, send a plate to my room... I'll be back in an hour she grumbles, running her hand through her messy hair.
(and another fail, or because it is an augury the response is simply nothing- as the spell)
Cale sighs as she leaves but mods to her face.
When she leaves he turns to Anjelica "she really is a good person, she just really wants to do well in her research. I've been trying to get her to have fun on ocasino but she's too diligent for that most of the time. Really it's something I admire about her."
On the way out, Anjelica turns her gaze back to Cale and nods. "I'm sure she is, Cale. I trust your judgment, but perhaps you can guide her to a little more balance her life... having fun might seem wasteful to some, but it's so very important to have a little now and again."
While helping out Alek looks around the town with interest. While he had moved thru other towns before, it was only in passing and never while there was such a festive atmosphere.
"Could such a peaceful place really be under threat by giants? Maybe the rumors where wrong. Well either way it is an interesting place to be."
"Oh thank you, I'll inform my parents." Zeldana said with a grin before she waved to her friends, "See you all around! Please think about stopping by my booth!" she told them smiling, then gathered the breakfasts and headed out to return to her family.
"Sorry it took me so long." Zeldana called out as she came upon her parents. "I ran in to a few of my friends at the Rusty Dragon." She told them as she handed them their food. "Are we ready yet? Or are there more things we need to do?"
Harumph! your father says. thought you would never turn up. you know he's joking. In fact both of them have finished setting up your stand, and are stocking their's.
Your mother smiles and says ignore the grump. All is well, though you can help with the stock, dear. she pauses a moment, and says seems you have competition. she points at a caravan parked accross the way. A sign proclaims mother dismass's fortunes. A young man stands out the front, dusting the steps.
Nixis sighs and rubbes her sore eyes. Well... Perhaps, I have much work to attend to, decifering ancient text and my weekly Divination... Cale, send a plate to my room... I'll be back in an hour she grumbles, running her hand through her messy hair.
[dice=Linguistics (automatic Writing)]1d20+8(and another fail, or because it is an augury the response is simply nothing- as the spell)
If you are staying at tge inn, the front door is locked, with a sign, opening afternoon.
If you get in, the results are inconclusive, probably due to the noise going on.
Alek helps some menfolk set up a stage, and is rewarded with a drink and a well done.
Anjelica and cale enjoy a cool drink, and watch a pair of jugglers preform.
Dakash finds a quiet corner, and watches quietly.
Ruaidhrigh is politely told by the town guard that wolves are not welcome in town, and he is to stable it.
I'll allow a bit of time for any actions, the i will continue.
Zeldana laughed as she threw her arms around her father, hugging him tightly before letting go. "Just grumpy because you're hungry!" She joked before she quickly spun on her heels to see what her mother was talking about. "Oh! How exciting!! I'm going to go over and say hello!" She said, and without waiting for a reply from her parents quickly made her way over to the caravan and up to the young man. "Hello! Would it be alright if I spoke with your harrower?"
Anjelica enjoys the cool drink after delivering her trays, and claps merrily for the jugglers, being careful not to spill any of her drink, of course. "Oh Cale, they're so good! And everyone is dressed so colorfully... it's going to be a marvelous Festival!" She was about to admonish him to 'stay close, and don't wander where I can't see you.' when she realizes she's talking like she would to a child... She sighs... "Well, it is," she adds in a less enthusiastic tone. "You should go collect your friend and bring her here... she might enjoy it."
Giving the guard a dirty look, Ruaidhrigh asks "Could you direct me then, sir, to the stables nearest the Cathedral?" he says, frustration evident in his voice. This just will not do. Big people. So frustratingly officious.
Dakash leans against the wall of one of the buildings near the Cathedral, twirling his walking staff idly in one hand - an obviously well-practiced trick - letting the length of wood spin and dance around his wrist and hand beside him.
This is quite a spectacle. There are too many people, and it all smells of odd spices and road-worn travelers. Still, it feels good to be around this hubbub. I only hope nobody bothers me, that would be quite uncomfortable.
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Nixis returns later, dressed in her typical trench coat and wide brimmed hat. Her coat is covered in mathematics and formula. She wanders the town, looking for Cale, not really sure where she's going. Until she spots Dakash twirling his staff. Excuse me, sir. I'm lost and I'm looking for where the food is set up. You look like you know your directions.
of course, asking for directions... Perhaps Cale is right and I should at least get to know my way around places I visit...
Anjelica enjoys the cool drink after delivering her trays, and claps merrily for the jugglers, being careful not to spill any of her drink, of course. "Oh Cale, they're so good! And everyone is dressed so colorfully... it's going to be a marvelous Festival!" She was about to admonish him to 'stay close, and don't wander where I can't see you.' when she realizes she's talking like she would to a child... She sighs... "Well, it is," she adds in a less enthusiastic tone. "You should go collect your friend and bring her here... she might enjoy it."
he nods, enjoying hanging out with his fiend but still staying close to the hotel probably a good idea yeah, stay there so I can find you again when I have her!"and then he runs off, fast on his long legs. When he sees her asking for directions he chuckles at Nixis, amused, of couse he wasn't going to admit that he just barely knew his own way around town and instead says "maybe we could go find Anji? She lives around here so she should know where everything is"
Alek decides to take a break for a while, walking around the festivities while drinking his drink. He spies Zeldana talking with a young man next to a colorful wagon and decides to walkk over.
"Hello there, Zeldana wasn't it? Please forgive me if I can't remember the whole thing. Didn't you say you had a booth tho, I was going to have a look."
The young man looks at Zeldanna with stunned bemusement, then waves at her. After this odd action, he saysSorry miss, but we have no harrower here. What's a harrow? And how do you harrow it? And did you kjow you are really pretty?
At this point alek walks over and joins thd conversation. The young looks confused for second, then pushes at alek aggressively. hey, we are talking about harrowers, and how they harrow. Wait your turn.
Ruaidhrigh, the inn you are staying at has the closest stable. You return in time for the wagon incident.
Anjelica and cale you see Zeldana near a colourful wagon, talking with alek and a young man, who then pushes alek back forcefully.
Both dakash and nixis pls make perception checks, dc15 to spot the above confrontation.
Zeldana's cheeks turn a soft pink when he asked her if she knew she was pretty. She had been told that once before when she was younger but never really paid it much mind. Though she was a little taken back when he asked what a harrower was. "Your fortune teller? Does your caravan travel without one?" She asked, a little shocked. No varisian caravan would ever travel without a fortune teller of any short, it would only invite grave misfortune to do so.
When Alek joins and is pushed away Zeldana leans her head to the left a bit as she asked. "Has he done something wrong?" trying to figure where the aggression was coming from. Though she did look to Alek to answer his question. "Yes you got it correct Alekzander. My booth is over there, next to my parents." She pointed back behind her to where she had come from.
Alek chuckles at the over-reaction.
"Don't worry boy, I'm not going to steal her. I'm new in town myself , just like you from what I can tell and Zeldana here is one of the few people I can actually say I have met... even if she IS pretty.