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You're all travelling for various reasons, signing onto the merchants caravan as it brings supplies for the Swallowtail festival in Sandpoint, a broken wheel a few miles back delayed the caravan and Beros, the large caravan leader is nervous that they're going to be late to set up for the festival, though you're making good time now.
Heck had met up with the caravan only a day outside of Sandpoint. Since he was travelling there anyway, it made sense to join the group, and try to not only get acclimated to civilization, but to pick up any rumors or information about Sandpoint.
Rather than getting solid information, everyone was either eager to make or spend money on some silly festival. City folk....
After the wheel is repaired, Kala takes out his pan flute and plays a marching tune to help everyone keep up the pace Beros is eager to make.
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Septimus Falkland stops off in the town of Sandpoint while on his journey to the city of Magnmar. Hearing about the Swallowtail festival he decides to delay his journey for a few days in order to take part in the festivities. He had also heard that a new church is opening up in Sandpoint devoting itself to many gods. He wishes to see if the church shows some reverence to Iomedae and has her properly represented among all the faiths there. A small but important task in making sure the word of Iomedae is heard among the masses.
Arezni, a young half-elf in Varisian garb, joined the caravan a few days back. A gregarious man, he's made friends with his music, though no one is willing to play harrow with him twice. After the wheel is fixed, he joins Kala with his lute.
Lyrune was hired as a scribe, and has bored nearly everyone in the entire caravan to tears with lengthy discourses on the ruins that are scattered about Varisia, and the landscape you're passing through, and anything else that catches her attention.
Though clearly an elf, she is not like any other elf. She seems somehow otherworldly and at the same time naive, as if danger is something she has only recently learned of.
Delighted for the accompaniment, Kala comments to Arezni, "You have an excellent sense for timing. Where did you study music?"
"With the family, through long days on the road and cold nights around the fire. You can learn to pluck strings anywhere, but what other way is there to learn music than living it?"
Kala ponders this, nodding sagely. "I suppose that is one approach. Lord Maechles took music much more seriously. The Maestro he employed to teach his children shared his much less...fun approach to learning." Kala stomps around in a very stiff armed and legged manner for a few moments before busting out in a laugh.
Arezni takes on somber tones. "We take our music very seriously in Varisia. Even if it's not needed for life like food and water, a point I'm not willing to concede on, it makes life worth living. To me, it is the greatest blessing of Desna in our world."
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Septimus Falkland traveling with the Caravan on this leg of the journey helps in installing the new wheel on the wagon and minor repairs needed to continue the journey.
Overhearing the mention of Desna, he says to Arezni, "This nation has odd values to hold Desna in such a high regard above all others. Then again in a wild and untamed land such as Varisia, the blessing of the Goddess of Travel and Fortune seems to be a prudent choice for those wishing safe travel on the roads. I have heard that a new church is being dedicated in Sandpoint and that is the reason for my detour from my journey to Magnmar. I wish to see if Iomedae will have a place among the represented shrines at the new church. Just as Desna deserves worship, so does Iomedae as well."
"Always sorta partial to Shelyn myself." Kala offers, as though someone asked him. "Have you been to Magnimar before Septimus? Truly a wonder of a city!"
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Septimus looks to Kala and says, "No, I have not been to Magnimar before but that is my ultimate destination on this journey through Varisia. It is a bastion of order in this region I hear with a vast history stretching back thousands of years. I seek to serve the church of Iomedae there and act as a defender of the faith in this region of the world."
"The Irespan is a wonder to which I have yet to see an equal! The view from Lord Maechles' estate was simply amazing. You seem a proud and humble servant of Iomedae, it is my pleasure to make your acquaintance. Kana Kala," he gives a flourished bow, "late of Magnimar."
"If you think it's wild and untamed out here, you must have never visited Korvosa. Staying away from there is not a bad idea. Magnimar is a lovely city, friendly people, exotic wares, good business, but I like to keep moving."
At Septimus' optimistic remark, Kala makes a bit of a wrinkled face. "Who knows, maybe Sandpoint will be to your liking!"
Heck often served as an advance scout, mainly due to the fact that the caravan was slow, and he was not. He did enjoy music however, and stayed close to listen, aching for his flute he had left at home.
" less blabbing, more music" heck grunted walking close for a minute.
Kala, always eager for an appreciative audience, resumes the marching tune on his pan flute.
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As you approach the town of Sandpoint, you are hit by the overwhelming scent of baked goods, breads, sweet pastries, a hint of cinnamon.
Beros shouts over to you, "I don't think we'll run into trouble this close to the town, if you want to join the festivities then be off with you. Course if you want to help unload I ain't got no objections."
Kala offers to help Beros unload before wandering off in search of pastries.
Arezni does not hear the last sentence from Beros, he is off in search of pastries and other diversions.
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He nods to Beros and says, "It has been good to travel with you Beros. Helping you unload some supplies is the least I can do as thanks for guiding me through this unfamiliar land of Varisa. Iomedae teaches to help those in need and repay kindness in turn."
With that he spends his time helping unload and move supplies from the wagon and taking them to places delegated by Beros. He diligently works until Beros gives him leave to depart and then heads off to find an Inn in the town in order to get a place to rest for the night before all the rooms fill up.
After some time enjoying the early festivities and getting a general feel for the town and its people, Arezni heads to the Fatman's Feedbag to try to discreetly introduce himself to the dear family member he has not yet met, uncle Jubrayl.
Lyrune has no interest in unloading. She wanders into the town, wide-eyed and curious about the semi-barbaric customs of this new land.
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Beros unloads most of his wares at the Rusty Dragon Inn, and a relieved looking ageing halfling woman directs the packages to where they need to go.
Elsewhere in town there is food aplenty available, stalls from all manner of local businesses offering food, including all the local inns, mills, farms and quite a few enthusiastic amateurs, alternatively there are games to try your hand at, "Goblin Squash", chicken racing, archery, as well as various games to test your strength or throwing arm.
Laughter and merriment fill the streets, and wherever you travel you frequently have to dodge gangs of children running from one display to the next.
Fatman's feedback is located in the Southern docks, and is quite busy with visitors, mostly ones too busy trying to get drunk to be interested in the free food and games of the festival, scanning the crowd you don't see anyone quite matching Jubrayl's description there, though the majority of the crowd is Varisian.
"Split a room Septimus?" Kala Kana asks. Kala also asks the proprietor if they are accepting evening entertainment, "I provide a unique blend of comedy and music you see."
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Afterward Kala Kana will venture out in search of excitement, asking Septimus if he would like to go as well, trying his hand at games of skill and chance (goblin squash and throwing arm sound good)!
Heck declined to unload the wagon and entered the town mouth agape. So many people of so many varities. Yes he had been to a tribal moot, but there everyone pretty much looked and acted the same. Here they were... well... loud. His mouth got dry, and he began to sweat. Everywhere there were people. laughing, singing, hollering. And so many different accents and voices. He had to get away.
Heck moved quickly... not running to draw attention to himself till he reached the outskirts of town. Maybe he was better to stay here and observe for a while where things were less hectic. He would have to ease his way into this civilization thing. Perhaps out here on the edge of town would be a fine place to spread his blanket for the night as well. Perhaps over here under these low hanging shrubs behind this building.
Survival
There's plenty of time to find his contact, and Arezni doesn't want to blow his cover by screaming from the mountains that he's searching for Jubrayl, so after talking with the regulars to get a lay of the place, he heads back out to enjoy the festivals, and will try again later.
Lyrune wanders through the crowds, observing the festival games for a while, until she sees Arezni returning from his errand. She waves the bard and approaches.
"This is quite a festive city, isn't it?" she says.
"It is a lovely place, new friend. I have a special fondness for small towns like these, there is plenty of people around and much to do, but it has it's own unique character. I take it you haven't traveled much, correct?"
Lyrune smiles to herself. She's traveled a very long way indeed, but not in the way that the bard means.
"It's true, I have seen very little of the world," she says. She looks around her, considering the crowds and the buildings. "I have read much of Varisia's history, but it's only recently that I've begun to explore the land itself. And what of you? You seem to be well-travelled."
"I've travelled far across Varisia, from Riddleport to Magnimar and everywhere in between. I've been to the frontiers of the lands of the Ulfen and the Shoanti. I will go farther one day, but my family is across Varisia, and I treasure my time with them. Where do you hail from?"
"My family left Celwynvian long ago, because of a terrible cataclysm," Lyrune said. "I was born in the forests of Elysium. I suppose I will return to them one day, but there is so much I can learn while I am here."
"With fewer steps, you have come farther than any. Welcome to our fair land. Do you know how to play harrow?" Arezni will not sharp Lyrune... at least not egregiously.
"Harrow?" she asks. "No, I don't believe I know that game." She looks around, wondering if it's one of the games being played at the festival. She reaches around the back of her neck and pulls a mouse out.
"Stop that," she says to the mouse. "I'm sure he means no harm." Then she puts the little creature back on her shoulder.